Paul Andrew Macallum
29.06.1946 -17.05.2026
Passed away peacefully in hospital on a Sunday in May, just weeks shy of his 80th birthday.
Born in Swansea, Wales to John and Roma (nee Newton-Carter), Paul spent 11 years as a boy near London, England, where he became a big brother to Malcolm and Moira. A twist of fate led the family to emigrate to Canada in the spring of 1957 aboard a Cunard ocean liner, the RMS Ivernia, by way of South Hampton to the port of Montreal. The adventure continued when the family settled in Toronto, including the joyful addition of two new siblings to the Macallum family, Linda and Ian.
Perhaps it was his formative childhood journey across the Atlantic, perhaps it was his father’s experience as a sailor in the British Navy—sailors were numerous amongst his English ancestors—one thing was for certain: the sea was in Paul’s blood. As a teenager in 1962, he built his first boat, a sea flea, in which he raced around at a family friend’s cottage. Later, he loved to steer his sailboat on Kempenfelt Bay when not devoting many hours to his other hobbies, including his trains and RC helicopters. He was a lifelong sportsman who enjoyed snow-skiing, water-skiing, squash, hockey and, most recently, pickleball.
Paul was also gifted with a mathematical mind that he expressed with an unmatched work ethic. After attending Michael Power – St. Joseph High School in Etobicoke, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Toronto, after which he pursued a career as a secondary school math teacher that led him to Barrie, Ontario, and to his destiny as a family man.
No formula or equation could account for the magic afoot when Paul met the love of his life, Susan (nee Cockburn). It was at Eastview Collegiate where Cupid's arrow brought together the robustly handsome math teacher with a megawatt smile and the beautiful, vivacious school nurse with an unrivalled sense of fun – a serendipitous encounter that would proudly open the door to over 53 years of marriage, countless crosswords, and two sons together, Andrew and Chris.
Over his lifetime, Paul worked at several high schools in and around Barrie with the Simcoe County District School Board. He ambitiously served as vice-principal and then principal, commuting to schools as far south as Bradford and Alliston and as far west as Collingwood, to conclude his professional life at Barrie North Collegiate before a happy retirement.
Paul was a great brother, a fantastic dad and grandfather. He made a point every summer to take his two young sons camping in Algonquin Park. Andrew and Chris remember how he was always astonished by the natural beauty of Canada. Every evening after a camp dinner, Paul and the boys would hop into his wood-frame, red-canvas canoe (a gift given him on his 18th birthday by his parents) and paddle to the nearest pay phone to make the call home to Susan, who would delight in hearing about the day’s adventures.
In addition to Susan, he adored the women who joined the family - his two daughters-in-law, Pam (nee Prostarr) and Jill (nee McDowell) and his three granddaughters: Maggie, Charlotte and Abbie. It was the draw of being closer to his granddaughters in Waterloo that initiated the move out of Barrie. Thirteen years ago, when he and Susan relocated to Foxboro Green in Baden, Ontario, it was a new experience made easier by neighbours who quickly became friends. He immersed himself in the community, joining different committees and becoming chair of the condominium board for a few years—his last stint at sharing his prowess for keeping things well organized.
With family and relatives in Canada, Denmark, England, and the United States, his was a life well lived. Paul, or Dad, or Grampa, as he was known, has touched many hearts in his time with us. Although it is with profound sadness that we say goodbye, we are assured that his legacy lives on in all of those who were lucky enough to have known him.
In keeping with Paul’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family gathering of a celebration of life will be announced later for an interment in Preston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://wrhnf.ca/donate/in-memory/ with designation to Emergency & Critical Care as expressions of sympathy. Sincere thanks to the nurses and doctors at St. Mary’ s Hospital (Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) for their dedication and care.
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