The Western Carolina University (WCU) community is mourning the loss of Phil Haire, a longtime advocate, donor, and former state legislator, who passed away on Oct. 8 at the age of 88. Haire, a Sylva resident, made significant contributions to WCU through his roles on the university’s Board of Trustees, the UNC System Board of Governors, and as a supporter of key initiatives like the Health and Human Sciences Building, the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), and the Catamount Club.
Haire and his wife, Connie, a retired educator and WCU alumna, were recognized for their generosity and service with WCU’s Distinguished Service Award in 2022. The couple established multiple endowed scholarships and were instrumental in renaming WCU’s Public Policy Institute to the Phil and Connie Haire Institute for Public Policy in 2023. The institute addresses public policy issues impacting Western North Carolina.
Haire’s public service extended beyond the university. He served as Sylva’s town attorney for over 27 years, practiced law in Jackson County, and was involved in national and state legal matters, including his role in the Watergate Committee. As a member of the N.C. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2013, Haire advocated for education, health care, and environmental protection.
A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 26 at Sylva First United Methodist Church, with private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Haire Institute for Public Policy Fund at the WCU Foundation.
