After years of living courageously with illness, Malcolm died peacefully with his family beside him at Royal Jubilee Hospital, where the care he received went far above and beyond our expectations. Malcolm was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England, on April 28, 1934, the youngest of 11 children born to Mabel Egan and Wallace Wilcock.
In the early 1950’s, he served in the British army in South Korea as an ambulance driver. He developed skills he was to use for the rest of his life; back in England, he completed the highest level of drivers license and made his living driving for the rest of his working life. Malcolm received a medal for armed forces veterans in recognition of service to his country.
Malcolm loved cars, always had a beautiful one, and was the first in Dewsbury to drive an American car. As Malcolm aged, he willingly gave up driving and his car, and his family respected him for that. He was also a skilled and self-taught cabinet maker and handy man extraordinaire.
After Malcolm and Barbara retired, they immigrated to Canada in 2000 to be closer to their son Michael. They lived in Kitsilano Vancouver, then Ucluelet, and later in James Bay Victoria. They were proud to become Canadian citizens. Malcolm was an intelligent, kind, and gentle person with a great sense of humour and fun. He was a wonderful father and a solid friend to his son Michael, ever supportive and accepting.
Malcolm was a loving and devoted husband to Barbara, his wife of 63 years. He loved to tell people that he and Barbara met in the bath, then clarifying that it was the Bath Hotel in Dewsbury where they met. Malcolm’s wit, intellect, and kindness will be immensely missed by his wife Barbara, his son Michael, his daughter-in-law Margot, and the many relatives and friends who loved him, both in England and Canada.
Malcolm was cremated on July 21, 2021 with family present at Royal Oak Burial Park. Friends and family are invited to a gathering in honour of Malcolm’s life at the Sam McGee Room, Bard and Banker on July 29, 2021 from 3 to 6 pm. Donations in memory of Malcolm may be made to the Royal Jubilee Hospital Foundation https://www.victoriahf.ca/donaterjh.
May you rest in peace Malcolm. Thank you for all your love and care. We will love you and keep you in our hearts forever.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Angela Girard
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John and Cath Scott Malcolm was a great colleague and friend to me. When I started work at John Hudson Fuels, Malcolm was really helpful and welcoming to me as I didn’t have a patch on the experience of the job that he had. I will never forget his friendly kindness.
I’m sorry that we never got to meet up over the later years.
We understand your heartbreak Barbara, after all those wonderful, happy years you had together. I’m sure your family will be a great comfort to you especially at this awful time.
Thank you for taking the time to let us know. RIP Malcolm. Take care Barbara.
With Love John and Cath
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Christine, Timothy, and Russell France; Sarah, Chris, and Kita Wren From all the family in England. Unfortunately we can’t be there with you all to remember the life of Malcolm, a brother in law, and uncle, but we are all with you in thought. It is a very sad time for all Malcolm’s immediate family and family over here in the UK. We all remember Malcolm today and know what a kind, caring and loving person he was. Even through his illness he was still a rock to his wife Barbara and son Michael. Our thoughts are with you all today as you celebrate the life of Malcolm. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
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Ann, and John Leach, Michael, Elizabeth, Reuben & Gabriel Leach We are thinking about you and your Mum and Margot, and how hard it has been with the loss of your Dad, and knowing that the days ahead will be so difficult, coming to terms with your own grief, and supporting your Mum through everything.
They were such a devoted couple and did everything together. Your Mum has seemed to be so strong through all your Dad’s suffering and been able to cope with all the demands that arose during his illnesses.
We know how hard the ‘Celebration of Uncle Malcolm’s life’ will be on Thursday, but his was a life that deserves celebrating. We are thinking about you in our thoughts and prayers.
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Marcia and Peter Glynn Peter and I last saw Uncle Malcolm in person when he, auntie Barbara, Michael and Margot came over to Yorkshire for his sister Amelia’s 100th Birthday in 2015. Then sadly a few months later when she passed away. We both admired him for his strength and determination, facing such a long and trying journey when struggling with his own health issues. We organized a day out travelling on the local train ‘The Trans Pennine Real Ale Trail’. Uncle Malcom & Auntie Barbara along with Michael, myself, Peter, Ann, John and other family members had a lovely day out. Uncle Malcolm did not let his health issues stop him from joining in, even though it must have been physically tough for him. He had courage, strength, and determination which we should all applaud.
Peter remembers times spent chatting about sport. Especially Formula 1. Both following the motor racing avidly for many years.
Our early memories of Uncle Malcolm, when we visited him and Auntie Barbara at Francis Road, Earlsheaton, is of a man who could always turn a hand to D.I.Y. always busy making a lovely home for the family. He continued this when they moved to Canada. We have many photos off his home improvements before his health sadly curtailed this activity.
Finally, I am sure our late Auntie Amelia would like us to say “thank you “ to both Uncle Malcolm and Auntie Barbara for their love, kindness and thoughtful things they did for her. She often spoke of the Millennial New Year’s Eve they spent watching the fireworks and drinking champagne. Sharing the special event with her, so she was not on her own.
We will miss you and never forget you Uncle Malcolm
Love Marcia & Peter. xx
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Nigel, Julie Wilcock & Thomas Dear Auntie Barbara, Michael & Margot
Just to say that we will be thinking of you all on Thursday and send our heartfelt love and best wishes. Despite the sorrow you must all feel, we hope that this will be more than compensated by the happy memories and celebration of a life well lived!
Our abiding memory of Uncle Malcolm was his happy smiling face and thought that these words below were appropriate…………You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has livedYou can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has leftYour heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love that you sharedYou can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterdayYou can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live onYou can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.Written 1981 (David Harkins 1959 -) Silloth, Cumbria, UK
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Sue Winner Oh Barbara. That’s so so sad.
You were each other’s world. Totally devoted to one another. I’ll always remember him putting ‘A mi esposa con amor’ on Barbara’s birthday cards.
Do you remember him sounding his horn in his tanker when he passed nursery and getting orange smarties from the factory!!
Happy times in the caravan. All your wooden ornaments at Francis road.
Thinking of you always
Sue x x
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David and Pamela Townend “It’s very difficult to separate Malcolm from Barbara, they were a team a top team .”
So sorry to bend the rules but our happy memories involve Mr. and Mrs. Wilcock.
Pamela and myself were fortunate a few years ago to enjoy a wonderful holiday in Canada. e were doubly lucky to include Vancouver Island on our itinerary.
We spent an idyllic week in Tofino. Some of you may appreciate that Tofino and Ucluelet are very different from Earlsheaton. But worry not, Malcolm and Barbara welcomed us to the area, treated us to a lovely “meal out” in a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They also kindly showed us around the wonderful coast of this special area. To say they made us welcome would be an understatement.
But their crowning achievement was to get Pamela, a nervous flyer at the best of times, into the 6 or 8 seater aeroplane that left Tofino airport. I say airport I do not recall the duty free.
Two lovely, kind and considerate individuals, two wonderful friends .
PS On Thursday 29th July myself and my mother will be out on our usual walk around Earlsheaton Park we will as is our habit include Frances Road. We will stop for a brief moment and no doubt she’ll shed a tear or two as we remember Malcolm.
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Michael Townend “As a child and friend of Michael, I was fortunate to spend time with the family.”
“One memory of Malcolm was related to one of his work vehicles. He had a big green truck which he might park at the family home.”
It had an open trailer and sometimes contained large vehicle tyres. I remember Malcolm throwing the tyres around the trailer using the huge strength in his forearms. It made the tyres look like feather pillows.”
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Kim and Sean Cummins and family With All Our Love
Remembering all the happy times, Uncle Malcolm will be greatly missed
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Michael Townend “As a child and friend of Michael, I was fortunate to spend time with the family.”
“One memory of Malcolm was related to one of his work vehicles. He had a big green truck which he might park at the family home.”
It had an open trailer and sometimes contained large vehicle tyres. I remember Malcolm throwing the tyres around the trailer using the huge strength in his forearms. made the tyres look like feather pillows.”
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David and Pamela Townend From David & Pamela Townend
“It’s very difficult to separate Malcolm from Barbara, they were a team a top team .”
So sorry to bend the rules but our happy memories involve Mr and Mrs Wilcock.
Pamela and myself were fortunate a few years ago to enjoy a wonderful holiday in Canada.We were doubly lucky to include Vancouver Island on our itinerary.
We spent an idyllic week in Tofino. Some of you may appreciate that Tofino and Ucluelet are very different from Earlsheaton. But worry not, Malcolm and Barbara welcomed us to the area, treated us to a lovely “meal out” in a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They also kindly showed us around the wonderful coast of this special area. To say they made us welcome would be an understatement.
But their crowning achievement was to get Pamela, a nervous flyer at the best of times, into the 6 or 8 seater aeroplane that left Tofino airport. I say airport I do not recall the duty free.
Two lovely, kind and considerate individuals, two wonderful friends .
PS On Thursday 29th July myself and my mother will be out on our usual walk around Earlsheaton Park we will as is our habit include Frances Road. We will stop for a brief moment and no doubt she’ll a tear or two as we remember Malcolm.
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Sue Winner From Sue Winner
Oh Barbara. That’s so so sad.
You were each other’s world. Totally devoted to one another. I’ll always remember him putting ‘A mi esposa con amor’ on Barbara’s birthday cards.
Do you remember him sounding his horn in his tanker when he passed nursery and getting orange smarties from the factory!!
Happy times in the caravan. All your wooden ornaments at Francis road.
Thinking of you always
Sue x x
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Catherine Barroll I was so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Michael. I know he hadn’t been well for some time, but that doesn’t make it any less sorrowful for anyone who loved him. My deepest and most affectionate condolences to Barbara.
I remember meeting Malcom and Barbara at Michael’s and Margot’s place on Commercial Drive , here in Vancouver, and I was so impressed by the evident bond of love they shared, and their enormous pride in their son. They glowed with it. It also struck me how intrepid they were, deciding to move to a new country to live. When most retirees were hunkering down for their sunset years, they were up for a new adventure. Only a couple with an unshakeable faith in each other would have taken that leap .And the last time I saw Malcolm, even though his health was less than robust, he’d made a new home with Barbara, new friends, and was happy and grounded in Victoria. And as always,with his great warmth, kindness, and unfailing good nature, he made light of any of the physical challenges he was facing, In his quiet uncomplaining way, like many of his generation, he was the bravest of men. I think, though, the thing that reflected his character most was the deep love he had for his son, to whom he has passed on his own sterling qualities of strength, loyalty and steadfastness in challenging times. Michael is truly his father’s son, in his quiet support for those he loves, he has shown that so clearly over the years. Malcom will always be here in his son, and we are all in his debt for that legacy. He left his world a better place than he found it. There’s nothing greater than that. My love to all his family, particularly Barbara , Michael, and Margot.
Catherine Barroll
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Paul and Mary Anne Vanderham Michael, Margot, and Barbara,
This is to let you know that we are with you in spirit from across the Rockies as you mourn Malcolm’s passing, remember the times you shared together, and celebrate the gracious and courageous way he lived his life.
For our part, we will always remember him fondly as a cherished member of our family, one who brought many gifts to the table: gracious hospitality, good humour, and a gentle spirit that was consistently respectful and accepting of others.
We were always happy in his company, and we will happily hold him in the heart’s affection.
May God bless him and all of you now and always.
Much love,
Paul & Mary Anne
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Rene and Verena Gauvreau Message to Barbara and Family.
Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always there.
Dearest Barbara, Michael, Margo; Friends and Family of our Dearest Malcolm
On behalf of my husband Mark and our daughter Claudia, I am sending my deepest and sincerest condolences to you for your loss of dearest Malcolm. I am sorry we are not able to be with you on this sad occasion.
My name is Angela Girard and I have been friends with Barbara and Malcolm since they arrived in Canada over 20 years ago.
When I heard the news from Barbara that Malcolm had died, I realized at that very moment just how precious, fragile and short life is; and how I’d wished I had one more chance to see him to say good bye.
It’s hard to talk about Malcolm without talking about Barbara. The two of them were inseparable – harmonious, gracious, accommodating, understanding, present, and always loving with each other. You could feel the easiness between them from the moment you greeted them; never a negative word spoken or tension between them; they seamlessly enjoyed their lives together.
From the first moment I met Malcolm, I knew we would be very good friends. Of all things, I was the property manager of their first condo in Vancouver. Their building had some ongoing water-related issues. One evening, at the end of the building’s annual general meeting, and Barbara and Malcolm’s first meeting, Malcolm approached me and said:
“Good to meet you. I’ve got a problem with my windows, can you help me with it?” But, what I actually heard, with Malcolm’s thick English accent at the time was:
“Of goht a praublym wiff ma wyndohs, cahn ya help me wiff it?”
To be frank, I hadn’t a clue what he had said to me! I replied to him very politely with this question:
“Do you have access to a fax machine?” (in those days before emails existed)
Malcolm paused, and then replied, with a look out of the corner of his eye:
“Ya cahnt undrstahnd wot I’m tellin’ ya, can ya?!?!?”
And I replied: “No, I’m so sorry, I can’t!!”
We had a good laugh together… and that was the beginning of our friendship.
When being in Malcolm’s company, he always took the time to listen to you. He was genuine with you, and he really spoke to you from the heart. But no question, he had a bit of cheeky-ness in him… he had a great sense of humor, that is, when I could to figure out what he was saying through his English jargon and idioms and his thick accent. It did improve over time, that is, my getting used to his accent, which made him more charming than ever for us Canadian folk!
When my husband and I got married, we decided to have a small church wedding very near where Barbara and Malcolm lived. We were so touched that they took the time to come and be part of our ceremony. Sixteen years later, I can still remember seeing Barbara and Malcolm as I walked down the isle – Malcolm greeted me with a big hug coming down the aisle, as a single woman, then with an even bigger hug coming up the aisle, as a married women! That will forever be a special memory for me of Malcolm.
After Malcolm and Barbara had moved to Victoria, Mark, Claudia and I had a few nice breakfast visit with them at our hotel or their place when we were in town, which were cherished times.
But the most special visit was our last together in February 2020, just prior to the pandemic, after I learned that Malcolm had cancer. I was in Victoria for a half-day working meeting and was flown into town by Harbour Air. When I realized how close their place was to the launch pad, I decided to take an extra 2 hrs to be with them before flying home.
We had an intimate and touching visit together. Malcolm remained positive and loving despite his condition, and I felt very blessed that we had those brief but caring moments together.
Farewell my dear friend, know that you are loved, and will be sorely missed.
We love you Malcolm, and may God bless you on your next journey, dear friend.
And may your soul be with the Lord, in His perpetual Light and Love and Glory, now and forever, Amen.
With Deepest Gratitude and Sympathies,
Angela Girard July 24, 2021
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I’d like to dedicate this song to dearest Malcolm, called “Welcome Home”. It is sung by ‘Wendy and Mary’. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABSPmfmVdBM
Welcome Home (Malcolm)
He has opened your eyes,
He has answered your cries.
He has given the gift, of His own life to you.
Welcome Home…
You’re at peace with yourself,
And the One who has made you.
You are at peace with life, and I’m so glad…
May the new Love that kindles your spirit,
Grow stronger each day of your life.
Welcome Home… Welcome Home… Welcome Home… Welcome Home…
To a Love that has waited,
Since before time began.
To a Love that remains, when everything else is gone.
Welcome Home… Welcome Home… Welcome Home… Welcome Home…
Welcome home, dearest Malcolm…