May 23, 1934 – May 20, 2013
Malcolm died peacefully at home at the age of 78 in Victoria, BC. He is survived by Moira, his wife of 54 years; his daughters, Melissa and Marianne (Andrew Clarke) and much loved granddaughter, Olivia. Malcolm was a rare man – good natured, gregarious and without prejudice. He was an optimist who lived for the moment and had a genuine sunny personality. He was a loving, engaged and supportive husband, father and grandad. He understood that the best things in life are not things and created the life that he wanted to live – a life centered on family and friends. He was extremely close to his sister, Fiona Hyslop and brother, David (Sandra). It was a rare day when they hadn’t shared each others’ news. He was born in Victoria to Sheila (Gillespie) and Dr. James W. Anderson. He was educated at St. Michaels School, Loretto School in Scotland, Victoria College and the University of British Columbia where he received his Bachelor of Commerce degree. He had a long career in sales with the Hudson’s Bay, Eaton’s, Dominion Securities, CJVI Radio and Shell Oil. As well as serving in many volunteer roles, Malcolm was an Alderman for the City of Victoria in the 1970s – the fourth member of his family to do so. Malcolm loved sports and the outdoors, especially the ocean. He sailed twice on the Victoria-Maui race as well as countless Swiftsures. He also enjoyed sea kayaking the local waters. Rugby was the sport of his youth and, for many years, he was an avid squash player. Starting in his sixties, he explored the Sooke Hills weekly with his hiking group, the ‘Wednesday Wonderers’. He rekindled an early love of music by taking up the cello in his seventies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and enjoyed attending concerts and the opera with Moira. Diagnosed with late stage colorectal cancer in early 2010, Malcolm lived these past years with characteristic bravery, dignity and an irrepressibly positive attitude. He was much loved and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church (Cadboro Bay) on Monday, May 27th at 2pm with tea following in the parish hall. Donations to The Land Conservancy of British Columbia can be made in his memory. Condolences to the family may be sent to the family below.
“Each man in his way is a treasure”
Robert Falcon Scott
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Mike Marley
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Linda and Edward Sellers Dear Moira and family,
Sending warm and caring thoughts with deepest sympathy.
We’re so glad we had a chance to know Malcolm he was a lovely man with a great smile and good sense of humour. He will be missed on Tobin Island but forever in our hearts and memories.
Linda and Edward Sellers, Tobin Island, Muskoka, Ontario
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Dave and Elaine Whitehead Moira,
We are sorry about Malcolm’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Although we only met Malcolm once, we found him gentle and personable.
In spite of your sad news Dave enjoyed his recent chat with you.
Hugs from us both,
Elaine and Dave
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Briony Penn Dear Moira, Melissa and the rest of the family,
On behalf of everyone at TLC and from my family as well I want to say how much Malcolm will be missed. His love of the natural world and all his efforts to support the work of TLC were so appreciated. Malcolm was always a positive force for all of us working in this challenging field and helped provide a solid foundation to go to. I will really miss having someone of such high integrity, understanding and empathy as an advisor. He was a driving force to protect the hills he loved so I imagine that he will be continuing to walk those hills with us!
Briony Penn
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Lynn Watrich (Gammie) George and Mardi Dear Moira and family;
So sorry to hear about Malcolm. Just wanted to let you know
we think of you and your family often, remembering the
‘Cariboo days’. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Sincerely Lynn
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Dr Charles Simpson Dear Moira and family,
I got to know Malcolm through the Wednesday Wonderers hiking group. He was very keen and vied with John Hasell, the leader, for the hiker of the year award, frequently winning it. He was a joy to have on the hikes, always chatty, cheerful and very knowledgeable about the hikes. He was the only person I know who had wisely done a huge amount of sailing and sailboat racing without ever owning a boat, thus avoiding all the headaches that brings!
In my whole life, presently one year short of Malcolm’s, I have never met anyone so consistently positive and optimistic. He never spoke evil of anyone and I never heard anyone speak evil of him. He tolerated a large amount of chemotherapy with apparently minimal side effects (“I’m the poster boy for chemo”)! Even towards the end, when he was obviously going downhill, he remained cheerful and hopeful most of the time.
We can all learn a lot from his attitude and we shall all miss him greatly. As the quote from Robert Falcon Scott said in the obituary, he was indeed a treasure.Charlie Simpson
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Leigh Large Moira and family
I was so surprised when my brother Walter passed on to me the news of Malcolm’s . passing He showed no sense of how ill he must have been when we met for Alistair’s tea at his ancestral Highwood home last year. I spoke to David recently at the funeral of a mutual friend and when I think of Malcolm and David I am reminded of what a wonderful family you all are. While Malcolm lived a long, meaningful and distinguished life I am only too aware of how short life really is and how hard these things can be. Our very best wishes and heartfelt thoughts are with you and your family.
Leigh Large
Leigh Large
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Bruce McWilliams Malcolm was a good friend while we were together at UBC and later when I lived in Oak Bay. It has been some time since I have seen Malcolm, time spent in Europe and now in the Eastern US. I will always remember him as a true and good friend and offer my condolences to Moira. We had good times. He will be in my prayers.
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Angus Graeme and family Dear Moira, Melissa, and Marianne and the rest of the family… sincere condolences from the Graeme family in Nelson. All of the comments are so true: a happy, positive, enthusiastic man! You are all in our thoughts.
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Paterson Dear Moi, We were so sorry to hear about Malcolm. We have such happy memories going back for such a long time. We will see you on Monday. Love. Joan & Don Paterson
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Bill Boothman I have known Malcolm some 40 plus years and was saddened to read of his passing. I knew him through business when he worked for CJVI, enjoyed playing squash with him at the Sussex Squash Club, and through his volunteering with Meals on Wheels. He was a real gentleman and he will be greatly missed. Bill Boothman
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Maureen and Victor Lironi Maureen well remembers Malcolm from happy days at UBC, and in the yacht charter business, and when out cruising our beautiful coast where our paths often crossed…
Moira, we are so sorry for your and your family’s loss and are thinking of you today
Please accept our sincere condolences.Victor and Maureen (O”Shea) Lironi.
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Peta Alexander Malcolm was a special, gentlemanly person whom I got to know well through our shared support of The Land Conservancy . He will be missed by the many colleagues & friends he made in all his pursuits.
Moira, you & your family have a lifetime of great memories to sustain you in this time of loss. I hope that knowing so many people share their love & respect for Malcolm will sustain you going forward.
Take care,
Peta
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Susan Shortill So many of my memories of Victoria involve the Anderson family. Sailing, hiking, homemade wine, Malcolm in national TV commercials and Telegraph Bay Road tea parties; one of them watching the Royal wedding live at some challenging West Coast time! Although I am so saddened to hear of Malcolm’s passing, I am so thankful to have had the chance to enjoy his presence. It was memorable! And I look forward to many more years of enjoying his legacy in Melissa, Marianne and family. Love and hugs to you all….wish I could be there to share them in person. Susan Shortill
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Brian Moira,
We were so saddened to hear of Malcolm’s recent death. I was talking to him very recently at the R.B.C. Museum, after the talk on the Race to the Pole. He seeemed so positive, alive and interested in life, without a trace of self-pity. Our greatest sympathy for you and your family.
Brian & Pam
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Karyn French (nee Peterson) Moira and family:
I will always remember Malcolm as a special and giving man. He was a great Meals on Wheels volunteer too! Always there when we needed him.
Hold tight to memories for comfort and lean on your friends and family for strength.
Karyn French
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Janet Dunbar Moira, Melissa, Marianne, Andrew & Olivia,
I’m so terribly sorry to hear this sad news! Malcolm always appeared to be an incredibly enthusiastic, positive and happy man. I know how much he meant to all of you and how much he was dearly loved.
Our thoughts are with all of you!
xo
Janet & Robin Dunbar
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Gerry and Pat Neely Dear Moira-while we were sorry to read of Malcolm’s death, we
will remember a life well lived and a smile that elicited involuntarily
smiles from us.Both of you did a lot,contributed a lot during 54
years of marriage and wish that it had not been shortened
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Ron Regan It was so sad to read about Malcolm. I enjoyed giving Moira and Malcolm refreshments while he was under going treatment @ BC Cancer.
He was so enjoyable and full of life all the time.
What a joy he was as he looked at life as a blessing to be enjoyed.
We can learn a lot about how to engage people because of Malcolm’s
life.
Rest with Jesus Malcolm……we will all see you soon.Ron Regan
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Barb and Amanda Moira – we were very sorry to hear about Malcolm. He was a great person, always positive to the very end. We send our sympathy out to you and to your family. He will always be a part of our memories with Mills Appraisal Group Ltd. (Maybee Appraisers). Respects from Amanda Mills and Barb Eubank
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Amanda Mills Moira, Melissa, Marianne and family,
I am very sad to hear of Malcolm’s death. How fortunate that I got to chat with him recently at the Hospice walk, and see is enduring bouyancy, charm and enthusiasm.
I feel lucky to have known him briefly when we worked together at Maybee Appraisers and from time to time at various Victoria events and activities. He was a wonderful example to to all and will be missed by many.
Amanda Mills
Moira,
I was really sad to hear of Malcolm’s passing. He was a true gentleman and I really enjoyed the times we had together, however looking back, all too few.
The celebration told of who he really was and how he was loved by so many people, all of whom will miss his smile, his humour and certainly his opinions. I do think that you and the family did a wonderful job of arranging his celebration of life, for that I too thank you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.