Sydney Forks
It is with broken hearts that, we, the family, announce the passing of our dear Carl Calder of Meadows Road, on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, after 13 years courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Sydney, on March 10, 1953, Carl was the son of the late Alex and Margaret Calder.
Carl had a gift of working with his hands. He was a highly skilled motorcycle mechanic with a knack for fixing just about anything mechanical.
When he wasn’t tinkering, Carl was using his hands to make music, his preferred pastime and lifelong passion. He was a talented, self-taught musician, who played both drums and guitar. When it came to his music, Carl was a perfectionist who appreciated the art of fine tuning his craft. He was a well-known drummer and a member of numerous bands over the years, playing a wide variety of genres from Rock to Reggae.
In 1996, Carl was the proud recipient of an ECMA award, along with his fellow members of the local children’s band, Duncan and the Apple in a Tree Band.
Whether Carl was playing at a big stage event, a kitchen party, or a backyard bash, his wife and number one fan, Patricia, was always in the crowd, cheering him on.
Over the years, Carl and Patricia travelled to many places together, such as Ireland, Nashville, and many of the Canadian provinces. While they cherished all of their adventures abroad, day trips exploring the scenic back roads of our beautiful island or just relaxing in Gabarus with the peaceful ocean view were some of their fondest memories.
Carl was an avid sports fan, from hockey to Formula 1, baseball to Moto GP. This past June, Carl fulfilled his bucket list trip to the 2023 Montreal F1 race.
Of all his favorite sporting events, Carl was happiest watching his own boys’, David and Andrew’s, hockey and soccer games. He was a proud father and a pillar of support throughout their childhood, a constant that continued even after they grew up and moved away from home.
Carl is survived by his loving spouse of 33 years, Patricia (MacLeod), sons, David (Canmore, AB) and Andrew (Fort McMurray, AB); daughter, Kim Calder; grandson, Brandon, and his fur buddy and loyal companion, Dre. Carl is also survived by his sisters, Katherine Ravanello, Jean MacLean, and Debbie Calder (John Haughn); brothers, Stewart (Janet), and Peter (Judy); sister-in-law, Bonita Calder; mother-in-law, Marion Macleod; sisters-in-law, Charlene (late Danny) MacPherson, and Ann (Reid) Lea; brother-in-law, Alan (Debbie) Macleod; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Carl was predeceased by his brothers, Alex, Bruce, and his father-in-law, Roy Macleod.
We are forever grateful for our wonderful family and friends for your love and support over the years. Your visits, phone calls, texts, and food deliveries were a great comfort during these last few weeks. The chats, the songs, the guitar tunes filled our hearts, and Carl’s final days, with joy.
The family would like to thank Carl’s family physician, Dr. Azer and oncologist, Dr. Khodadad, along with the staff at the Cancer Centre for their professional and compassionate care throughout Carl’s illness.
A special acknowledgement to Palliative Care, VON, and Hospice for the exceptional support they provided, allowing Carl to stay in the comfort of his home with his family by his side.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Carl Calder will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Thursday, August 10, 2023. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s name to Tom MacNeil’s Cancer Patient Care Fund or Caleb’s Courage through the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“The song has ended but the melody lingers on.”
~Irving Berlin
Online Condolences
My deepest condolences to you all. Hugs and prayers.
From: Agnes Harriss
Sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. We worked side by side at motorcycle shops together over the years, we had a lot of good laughs together never a dull moment. Always remember him bringing his white mgb to work at leon’s sport centre and rebuilding the motor on his spare time. I used to joke with him it will never go again and that we would have to fit a kawasaki engine in it.
From: Jim and Lisa Jones
So sorry to hear of Carl’s passing, our thoughts are with you Trish at this sad time
From: Nancy Maxwell
Patricia & Family
Deepest sympathy to all of you.💔 We we’re so glad to get together with Carl for a night of much music fun &
laughter after our move back to C.B.
He will be missed by all.
Hugs 💕 & A.F.F.A.
From: Doddy & Bobby
Dear Trisha and family Our deepest sympathies go out to you all,Such a loss to you all , Carl was such a lovely kind quiet talented person and quite the fight he gave this disease !We Will remember him fondly as many more will do .Love to you all. Mike and From: Delores Henick .
So sorry for your loss. Carl was a great musician and we enjoyed the time we got to witness his talent. Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time
From: Glenn, Eleanor & Morgan Shepard
Trish and family, so sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Hold on to your beautiful memories. Clarence & Evelyn MacNamara
Patricia, I’m so, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Trish and family, our condolences on the loss of your loved one. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
My condolences to the Calder family.
So sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with. You and your family ❤️🙏Cameron and Elizabeth
Condolences to Patricia David and Andrew. Love to you all. Carl will be missed. He was definitely one of a kind. You have many beautiful to hold on to
Trisha and family, so very sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Sincere condolences from Bud and I.
I never forgot Carl from our teenage years. He was a good friend. Sorry to hear of your loss.
Trisha and family- we are so saddened to hear of Carl’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you all.
Patricia…I am so sorry to hear of your loss of someone so special to you. Please know that you and the boys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tish, we are so sorry to hear of Carl’s passing.
We will keep you and the boys on our prayers.
Deepest condolences.
Dear Patricia and family,
We will never forget how much fun we had going to hear Carl and Duncan and the band played. Our condolences on Carl’s passing .
Kelly and Doug MacNeil
Patricia
Doug and I were sadden to hear of Carls passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family
Charmaine and Doug Sampson
Patricia, my sincerest condolences on Carl’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dolores.
Patricia and family,, we are sending Sincere Sympathy to you at this time.. You are in our thoughts and prayers. From your friends in Gabarus
Trisha and family, sincere condolences on Carl’s passing…thoughts and prayers for you at this time
So sorry for your loss. Eric & Gail McQueen
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
-Gerry and Carol
Trish, David, Andrew, Stewart, Janet & Calder family – so very sorry to hear of Carl’s passing thinking of your family at the difficult time
Tricia, my deepest condolences to you and your entire family on Carls passing. He will be missed. My thoughts will be with you. May he rest in pease.
You and your family are in our thoughts. So sorry for your loss.
Barry and Chris Sheehy
Patricia and Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Carl.. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Trish., David and Andrew,
So sorry for your loss. Carl will be missed by everyone. He was a lot of fun and a great musician.
Larry and Jeannie
Patricia, condolences to you and your family on the loss of Carl. You are in out thoughts and prayers .
Trish, David, and Andrew, we are so sorry to hear about Carl’s passing. Our condolences to you and all your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Carl was such a fun, talented, and wonderful man. He will be greatly missed. Sending lots of love, Kelly and Ken
Stewart , Jean & Family
Sorry For Your Loss .
So very sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Patricia, Andrew and David our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Patricia and family. So sorry for your loss of Carl. My condolences and sympathy.
Evelyn Hunt
So sorry to hear of Carl’s passing, my sincere sympathy to you, Trish, your children, Marion, and the rest of your family. Sending love & Prayers. Paul & Lisa Flynn
So very sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your boys and all your family.
Patricia and family, we were so sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Condolences to you all at this sad time.
Mike and Sharon
Patricia and family. So sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Patricia and family…so sorry to hear about Carl. Our deepest sympathy to you all…Kathy and Kenny Williamson
Patricia and family: So sorry to hear about Carl, I was away and sorry I was not in town for the memorial service but Janet told me it was quite lovely, Carl fought so hard, but he had such wonderful support and great times with family and friends in his final days which was so nice for all of you to have to remember, he is at rest now and free from pain and Patricia, he would never have lasted as long as he did if not for the loving care and love you gave him over those difficult years. Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs and prayers. Sincerely, Helen MacLeod, Howie Centre
So sorry for your loss- Donald & Wanda Shaw