Thomas L. Calder

CALDER - Thomas Lachlan (89), passed away Friday, September 15, 2017 at home after complications from a stroke in May. He was born and raised in New Westminster, graduated from Duke of Connaught High School, where his father Thomas Hanning Calder was Principal. He went on to study at UBC (BSc 1949) and McGill (MDCM 1953), where he met and wed fellow student Norma ("Tommy") England - the love of his life for 45 years of marriage. After medical school, the Calders moved to West Vancouver where Tom practiced medicine for 47 years and raised six children, with wife Norma eventually enjoying her own medical career and advocacy work. Dr. Tom's busy practice was old style full service medicine with house calls, deliveries, surgery, hospital rounds and care of all ages - including a tender focus on the elderly. Tom loved and lived medicine and was a respected member of the Medical Staff at Lions Gate Hospital to his retirement in the year 2000.

His other passion was music, and as his children played in the community band, and he recognized adults with this interest, he co-founded the West Vancouver Adult Band in 1969. He played his euphonium (and other instruments on demand) with several other groups, more so after his retirement from medicine. He never walked anywhere without humming or whistling like a one-man marching band. His "Doctors' Band" - comprised of retired physicians, played for nursing home residents throughout the year, with some band members older than the audience.

Tom is predeceased by wife Norma (1997), sons David (1991) and Robert (2014), and sisters Sheila Green (2010) and Peggy MacLean (2016). He will be lovingly remembered by children Jill (Bob), William, Tom, Megan, and grandchildren Simon, Jake and Zoe, and a wonderful extended family, dear friends and congregants at the West Vancouver Baptist Church (and in early family years - The West Vancouver United Church). A special thanks to Conductor Tak Maeda and the West Vancouver Adult Pops Band for their infectious love of music, their patience and their kind support over Tom's last years. An additional shout-out to pool-physios Annick G and Delia P for keeping Tom moving despite his bad knee and a cat-like aversion to water. Family also wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the Staff of Lions Gate Hospital, Dr. Jonathan Hislop and the staff at Ambleside Medical Centre and the special caregivers who brought youthful zest and kindness to his senior years: Rose, Konny, Jane, Holly, Tess and Christie.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 2:00-5:30 pm at the Capilano Golf and Country Club, at 420 Southborough Drive, West Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Dr. Tom Calder would be appreciated to an organization supported by Tom and Norma (which supported them as parents): the BC Schizophrenics Society, 1100 - 1200 West 73rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6P 6G5 or online at: www.bcss.org.