Skip to content
April 16, 1987 - May 19, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce Calum's very peaceful passing in the Trauma-Neurosurgical ICU at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto after a brave and courageous, over six-year battle with brain cancer.
As he started his life, so he ended his life in the arms of his mum Ali. Calum was predeceased by his father Don MacBeth, his grandparents Ross and Kay MacBeth and his grandfather Don Legge.
He is survived by his mum Alison MacBeth, brother Donald, (Misette) MacBeth, sisters Stacey (Pat) Norwood and Larissa MacBeth of Tulsa OK, grandmother Prue Legge, great-auntie Jean Legge, Uncle Jim Legge, cousins Katherine, Rebecca, Sarah and families in England, Uncle John and Auntie Kerry Carmichael, cousins Christin, Michael, Julie and their families in Toronto.
Calum was born at St. Joseph's Hospital, Comox and grew up in rural Courtenay, enjoying a life full of outside adventures on the family's small acreage including riding skateboards, BMX's, the family horse and swimming in the nearby Tsolum river.
Calum attended Puntledge Park Elementary, Lake Trail Junior and Vanier Secondary schools, graduating in 2005. He then attended one year at North Island College before heading east to attend Queen's University in Kingston ON where he acquired an Honours BSC in Math & Economics.
While at Queen's Calum joined the student government AMS first as a prosecutor in Judicial affairs and in his final year he became the Commissioner of Internal Affairs. Cal formed strong and lasting friendships with fellow students in the AMS.
Following his graduation Calum was invited and accepted into a Masters program in Financial Economics at University of Toronto. He then embarked into a career as a Financial Analyst and was with HSBC as an Associate in Corporate Banking for the last 4 years.
From a young age he demonstrated his love for numbers and was happiest when his brain was challenged with all things academic. Calum had a brilliant mind and a tremendous sense of humour. He was personable and had many friends. He had a generosity of spirit, was loyal, well respected and loved by all who knew him. Family and friends were very important to him.
Calum inherited his father's love for all sports. Growing up he played soccer, basketball, softball and football. Later, he took up golf playing at weekends on courses in the Toronto area with friends, or in the Comox Valley when home on a visit. He was an avid fan of hockey (Leafs) football (Vikings) basketball (Raptors) and baseball (Jays)
His family timed any phone calls around his game schedule! We knew better than to interrupt him on game days. Cal also loved music and taught himself guitar while at Vanier and formed a band called "Larger Than Average" in Grade 12 along with buddies, Darryl, Noah and Ian.
Calum will be sorely missed by all his family and friends. We are so proud of his achievements and accomplishments in his short 34 years. Calum decided he wanted to give back to St. Michael's Hospital where he had excellent care.
In 2018 he was asked to join the St. Michael's Hospital Young Leaders Sponsorship Committee fundraising for the Foundation. Calum's family would like to sincerely thank the following:
John and Kerry for their love and incredible support over the sometimes very difficult past six years, as well his exceptional health care teams at St. Mike's and Sunnybrook Hospitals in Toronto who showed so much kindness, care and compassion. Special mention goes to Dr. Sunit Das, Neurosurgeon and Oncologist and his Nurse Practitioner Natalie Massie, Dr Mary Jane Lim Fat, Dr. James Perry, Oncologist and Dr. Haney Soliman, Radiation Oncologist, ICU doctors, nurses, PT and OT, SW, SLP, RT and Dietician and lastly to his great family of friends from the Comox Valley, Queen's, U of T, and HSBC for their unwavering love and support.
In keeping with Calum's wish to give back we have set up a Legacy Fund in honour of Calum's memory with the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation in partnership with Dr. Das. Monies raised will be earmarked for brain cancer research. The family requests that you please consider donating to this very worthwhile cause to defeat this devastating enemy!
http://smh.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1715&pg=entry
After Calum's third brain surgery in November, 2020 his life focus sought a deeper understanding of the spiritual realm. He began to read the Bible and ask questions about things eternal. Spirit realities are communicated from heart to heart, not necessarily in actions or words spoken and heart realities become clearer the closer you get to your own mortality.
Calum embraced Jesus as his Lord and entered eternity without fear, fully enveloped in the peace of God.
Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes in Me, although he may die, yet shall he live!!"
A Celebration of Calum's life will be held in the Comox Valley in the very near future. Details to follow in the Comox Valley Record.


Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.