It is with great sadness the Mack family announces Cameron (Cam) Mack passed away unexpectedly in Victoria, BC on May 28, 2016 at the age of sixty-three. Cam was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta where he attended Lord Beaverbrook High school before beginning his post-secondary education at the University of Calgary. In 1974, Cam married the love of his life, high school sweetheart Lorraine, and began a marriage that would last for forty-two years. After three years at the University of Calgary, Cam was accepted into Law School at the University of Alberta and graduated, with distinction, in 1977 before being called to the Alberta Bar in 1978. Cam’s legal career began at Mackimmie Matthews, where he eventually served as a partner. In 1999, he joined forces with his friend from law school, Michael Smith, and spent the remainder of his career as a partner with the Calgary law firm Smith Mack Lamarsh before retiring this year. As a lawyer in Calgary for over thirty-four years, Cam developed a reputation as an unfailingly kind, helpful, honest, and hard-working community member with great integrity. He touched the lives of countless individuals. This well-earned reputation was reflected in 1997 when Cam was awarded the Rotary Club of Calgary’s Integrity Award. In fact, Cam was the recipient of numerous community and professional awards, distinctions, and accolades during his life. Although each of those was well-deserved, Cam’s sincerely humble and selfless nature generally resulted in him downplaying the majority of his achievements and avoiding any attempts to accept the praise which he was consistently due. In addition to his professional life, Cam was a man of faith and an avid volunteer who supported many local causes in Calgary and Victoria such as Alcoholics Anonymous, the Mustard Seed Street Ministry in Calgary, the Special Needs Ministry at Centre Street Church in Calgary, and (most recently) Victoria Hospice. Without question, Cam was well-loved and respected by all those who knew him. Cam was also a master of trivia and a highly knowledgeable connoisseur of great music and he was able to pass this attribute to his children. He also loved playing the guitar and often looked back fondly to his time as a member of the Calgary cover band The Empty Calories. Cam also passed his love of the outdoors along to his children. He enjoyed hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, and kayaking and swimming in Thetis Lake on Vancouver Island with his grandchildren David and Abby. Cam moved to Victoria, BC with his wife Lorraine in 2012 and was in the process of beginning his well-deserved retirement.
The most important part of Cam’s life was his family and he made no secret of how much he loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren whom he loved and felt great pride. Cam will be loved, remembered, and missed eternally by his wife of 42 years, Lorraine; his sons Kyle (Nazeli) and Kevin (Kathy) Mack; his daughter Julia Mack; his grandchildren David, Abby, and future grandchild due in June. He is also survived by his sisters Diane (Darryl) Smith and Maureen Cotton; his mother-in law Henriette Moir; sisters and brothers-in-law Carol and Peter Emerson, Susan and Don Quinn, Brian and Jacquie Moir, James Moir and Bruce and Lydia Moir, and numerous nieces and nephews. Cam was predeceased by his father, Harry Gordon Mack, his mother, Leona Margaret Mack, and his father-in-law, David Alexander Moir.
For those wishing to remember Cam as he would have wanted, we invite you to reflect upon one of Cam’s favourite quotations:
“Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be’ – she always called me Elwood- ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart)
Details of Cam’s memorial service (likely to take place in Calgary during mid-summer) will be announced once they are finalized.
In lieu of flowers, the Mack family asks that donations, in the name of Cam Mack, be made to either the Victoria Hospice (Victoria, BC) or the Special Needs Ministry at the Centre Street Church in Calgary.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
34 Responses
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
To the entire Mack family,
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Cam’s passing. He was a dear friend of my parents which extended to the rest of the family. I’ve known Cam for most of my life, and he was always genuine and the nicest person you could know.
Lorraine and Family,
We are still very much in shock over learning of Cam’s passing, and mourn his loss with you.
I considered Cam a kindred spirit after he became counsel to the Society of Management Accountants when I was Executive Director. In the 35 years since, he was a true friend.
We will both miss him very much.
We are so saddened by the unexpected passing of your husband and friend, Cam. We are left with good memories of Cam and his zest for life. We are thankful for knowing him and have memories of good times together. Lorraine, we would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Reflecting on Cam’s influence in my life brings a smile to my face and I am thankful for memories of good humor, and compassionate sentiment and service. He brought people together and had a remarkable ability to maintain and nature relationships.
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing Kevin. Our prayers are with you and your family
Cam was one of a kind. A great friend through 40 years. We will definitely miss him.
Kevin and family – we are so sorry to hear this. You will miss your Dad we know and you also follow his great example. Our love and prayers to you and your family.
Cam always had a kind word and a positive outlook on life. I will always remember his strong faith, support and willingness to lend a helping hand to all those he met. He will be missed.
Cam was truly a wonderful friend…his life was a gift to us…we loved him…and we will miss him.