WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The UNC Wilmington community is mourning the life of creative writing professor Phil Furia.

• Furia had taught at UNCW since the 1990s and touched many students' and colleagues' lives over the years.
• He was one month away from an almost 50-year career and was about to retire.
• A memorial service will be help later in Wilmington. A date is still being discussed.

Furia had taught at UNCW since the 1990s and touched many students' and colleagues' lives over the years.

Many have left notes, even long letters and flowers on his office doors.

He was one month away from an almost 50-year career and was about to retire.

A memorial service will be help later in the year in Wilmington. A date is still being discussed.