About Tommy:

Thomas Jeffrey McCallum, or 'Tom' as most people knew him, was born in Ottawa June 21, 1955 to Julian and Ruth McCallum. He grew up with a brother, Larry, and two sisters, Julie and Karen.   In 1975, he came to Vancouver with not much more than his guitar and a couple of friends.  He married and had two daughters. A musician, he had been in a couple of bands over the years, and spent nearly 30 years as a busker, playing in various venues around Vancouver.  This he did intermittenly while taking jobs as a waiter in various restaurants, and other construction and landscaping jobs.  He had written over 70 songs, and was also an accomplished harmonica player, which he had taught himself to play while on buses.  He learned to sing in church.
His marriage to his first wife ended in 1986, and it was 6 years later that we met on a warm August day at Second Beach.

"She dreams in colour she dreams in light...can't find a better man" (Pearl Jam)

  I had just returned to Vancouver 3 weeks earlier after living in Winnipeg for a short time.  We looked at each other, and it was instant attraction.  He sat 7 logs away playing his guitar, and every time I looked over at him, he had moved closer, until he sat next to me and introduced himself, and played me a song he had been learning.   That was the day I met the love of my life.  He was 38, and I was only 23... yet, age doesn't matter when you are in love, as I found out.  After a whirlwind courtship, we moved in together.  'And the two shall become one'  We were married October 28, 1995, and Jeffrey was born Feb 10 of 96.  We stayed together throughout all of our trials and tribulations, until we were briefly separated in 2006.  But our bond was stronger than anything that life could throw at us, and he came home a few months later to stay. 
His health started to take a turn about two years ago, when he suffered a seizure for which he was hospitalized, complicated by a broken pelvis. He was starting to do better for awhile, and then started feeling ill.  Sadly, by the time he was diagnosed with liver disease and cancer, it was too late.  The Lord called him home at 09:25 on Thursday, March 19, 2015.

"Your love is sweeter than wine" (Tom McCallum)
 

We  had both gone through some troubling times when God brought us together that 4th of August...he was, still is, and always will be, my knight in shining armour.  He loved me unconditionally, as I did him, and together we created a beautiful son, who he loved dearly.  And although he has left this earth to live in Paradise, he is still with us and will be until the day we are reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Tommy, you are our heart.  We will miss you terribly, but we know that you must be traveling on now...too many places you've got to see..you're as free as a bird, now...and this bird we cannot change...and we wouldn't have changed you for anything.    Tommy/Daddy we love you so much. Godspeed, until we meet again..

." Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What Heaven brought you and me
Cannot be forgotten" (CSNY)

 To my best friend, my lover, my soul mate..while I am devastated that you have passed on to the next life, ahead of me, know that as you embark on this journey  I am thankful for the 22 years that we had together... and I know that we will be together again. I love you.  Your love, truly, is sweeter than wine.

The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul
He guides me in the path of righteousness
For His name's sake

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil
Thou art with me
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
Thou preparest a banquet before me in the presence of my enemies
Thou anointest my head with oil.
My cup overflows

Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.  (Psalm 23)