Tributes have been paid to a softly-spoken but fiercely intelligent programmer who never liked to blow his own trumpet, and who was devoted to his daughters.

For some people, actions speak louder than words, and for Phillip Probets, this was certainly true.

Phil, was a Londoner by birth, having been grown up in Eltham in the southeast part of the city. He was the fifth and youngest child of Ellen and William, arriving on November 2,1959, joining elder sister Marian and brothers Roger, Ray and Michael.

After leaving school, Phil started work at British Telecom in 1978. Phil remained at BT for 20 years, working as a software engineer and a computer programmer.

The 64-year-old was naturally a quiet and modest man, who never liked to brag about his abilities. However, he was enormously respected by his colleagues as a master in his field.

In the days after his death, Phil’s daughters, Wendy and Abi, have been overwhelmed by the kind messages they have received from those who remember their dad, attesting to his skill and expertise.

“We knew we had a clever dad, but we had no idea he was so brilliant at work,” said Phil’s eldest daughter, Wendy.

“I find it so lovely and humbling to know that he was crushing it in his industry, but he was still coming home and watching The Bill, like it was no big deal.”

Phil pictured at 23, his 'forever age', as his daughters say.Phil pictured at 23, his 'forever age', as his daughters say. (Image: Family of Phil Probets)

In 1983, Phil applied to the BT programme in Ipswich. This was how he met Sue, who had come to take over his old job in London.

The transfer took longer than expected, and by the time Phil made the move to Suffolk, they had become an item.

The following year, Sue joined him in Ipswich, where their two daughters were born. Sue and Phil remained together for several years before separating.

Phil was, agreed Wendy and Abi, always a “cool dad”.

In 1999, he and Wendy embarked on a trip to Glastonbury together to watch REM headlining.

“I was 14 years old, and at Glastonbury with my dad!” laughed Wendy. “We had so much fun.”

Abi remembers spending lazy weekends with Phil, relaxing together at his home and enjoying his beloved Formula 1, no matter what time it was broadcast.

The programmer met Steph in the early 2000s and the pair remained close friends after separating following several years together.

Phil, the picture of pride with his two daughters, Wendy (left) and Abi (right).Phil, the picture of pride with his two daughters, Wendy (left) and Abi (right). (Image: Family of Phil Probets) Phil was an expert in his field, but was always very modest and didn't like to boast about his achievements. Phil was an expert in his field, but was always very modest and didn't like to boast about his achievements. (Image: Family of Phil Probets) Phil had a big heart, and always gave generously to any causes his friends were raising for, including local hospices.

If he couldn’t give money, Phil was quick to volunteer his time. After Wendy bought her house with her husband, Chris, Phil came to help them renovate their home, spending an entire day pulling up floorboards.

Wendy remembers coming home, and finding Chris and Phil in fits of laughter, both wearing their safety goggles.

Phil left BT in 1998, after which time he worked for several different companies, all based in London. He had left Ipswich by this time, living for a short time in Leighton Buzzard.

However, in 2019, Phil became a granddad with the birth of Wendy’s son, Cassian.

Eager to see as much of his grandson as possible, Phil returned to Suffolk, settling in Newbourne in Woodbridge.

“He loved being a granddad – he came alive,” remembered Wendy. The second bedroom in Phil’s home became Cassian’s, and there would always be new toys and books waiting for him when Wendy and Chris dropped him off.

Phil was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March last year. However, he was determined whatever time he had he would live life to the very max.

His final year was spent meeting up regularly with his daughters for lunch, doting on Cassian, spending time with friends, and travelling.

In December, he went on a ‘lad’s holiday’ to Lisbon with son-in-law Chris, and the following June, enjoyed a surprise trip to Bulgaria with Abi and her partner, Dan.

Phil was also enormously proud to be there when Abi and Dan tied the knot. He was beaming with pride at their legal ceremony on August 29 and was also able to attend their wedding two weeks later.

“He was absolutely not missing it for the world,” said Abi. “It was so lovely to have him there, even though by this time he wasn’t very well.”

Phil passed away on September 23, aged 64.