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
21 Responses
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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