Calvin Morrison

Friday May 6th 2022- Cal loved summer, country living and sunshine. Our family will ensure that his ashes are scattered in the places he loved most, where his spirit can be free and happy again. We will hear his song in the warm, “summer breeze”, where the “cool grass grows”. He will live in our hearts and “shower the people” he loved with love forever. Gone but never forgotten.

The “leader of the band” passed away at home surrounded by family, dear friends, and music. The Masters Tournament quietly playing in the background, had just ended.

Cal is survived by his wife Norah (nee Haight) and two cherished daughters, Sydney Clark and Shelby Morrison. Cal was overjoyed and proud to attend both of their weddings, and gain two remarkable sons (Robinson Clark and David Ragni) – friendships Cal treasured and which were often celebrated over a good scotch. His greatest joy of late was the arrival of his granddaughter, Annie Clark. Annie spent countless hours sitting with her “Grumps”.

Cal was second born to James and Ruth (nee Watson) Morrison of Newmarket. Cal is survived by his sisters Charlotte Penrose (Rick), Cathryn Rodney, Celia Thomson (Bruce) and his brother Courtney (Jennifer Wilson). Despite joking to friends about being an “orphan” (mischievous to the end), he genuinely loved family gatherings and the chaos that ensued. Cal was brother-in-law to the late Darcy Rodney and uncle to Ruthanne Penrose, both beautiful spirits taken from us too early. Cal is also survived by nieces and nephews Amber Fitzgerald (Matt), James Penrose, Simon Penrose, Andrew Thomson, Patrick Thomson, Evan Rodney and Mason Rodney, and great nephew and nieces Jonah, Audrey and Chloe Fitzgerald.

Cal grew up in Newmarket, Ontario. He moved north to live with his “Granny” in Gravenhurst during high school. Cal attended Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, where he quickly joined the music scene. He played in many bands including John Rutherford’s BMLSS concert band, where he met Norah. He also honed his culinary skills under the tutelage of John Hudswell. During his final years at BMLSS, Cal lived with the Miller family, near and dear family friends of the Morrisons.

Cal was an accomplished musician who enjoyed every opportunity to “jam” with friends and to mentor students, young and “not so young”. There are many drummers, strummers and keyboard enthusiasts who learned under his instruction. He and long-time friend Dan Brooks played at many local weddings, resorts and events. His daughters were surprised by how often their friends reported that Dan and Cal played at their parents’ weddings.

Cal was also a chef extraordinaire, who loved to host social gatherings regularly. Most memorable to many will be his annual Christmas Eve parties. After many years as chef at Patterson Kaye Lodge, Cal transitioned to his second career as a contractor, building and renovating many local homes and businesses, and forging new friendships along the way. There really wasn’t anything Cal couldn’t fix, build or design. Although Cal’s culinary arts were mostly enjoyed at home after changing careers, he continued to cook for the Pine Lake Hunt Club for years thereafter. Many deep friendships were made at the hunt camp.

Cal’s tenacious spirit was never more evident than it was during the last few years, as he navigated a plethora of health issues. At 49 years of age, Cal was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Shortly thereafter, Cal began weekly infusions, where he quickly developed a friendship with nurse Nancy. We are forever grateful for the care and humour Nancy brought into our home every Friday morning for many years. The next mountain that Cal conquered was a double lung transplant. Unfortunately, this journey involved many post-surgical complications and challenges, ultimately resulting in a courageous battle with cancer. Once again, Cal forged relationships with many health care providers at Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret. His sense of humour brightened many caregivers’ days. As a family, we are deeply grateful for the care received. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our Princess Margaret team including Dr. Tiedemann, Dr. O’Connor, Suzanne Rowland (NP), Dior Caruso (NP), and our TGH Transplant team, Dr. Chaparro, Dr. Sidhu, Dr. Donahoe, and Pauline Harney (nurse coordinator extraordinaire).  We are also grateful for the care and palliative support received from North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN.

Cal spent every day on his health journey – and most of the past 49 years – with the love and support of Norah by his side. To know Cal was to know that the accomplishment he was most proud of was building a life with Norah. Cal and Norah have walked hand-in-hand through every milestone, challenge, success, obstacle, celebration and loss. Sydney, Shelby and their family and friends are forever grateful to Norah for her exceptional care of Cal, always, but especially during his health journey. For Cal, Norah was home.

In addition to his house on Partridge Lane, Cal’s happy (and most infuriating) place was on the golf course. Muskoka Highlands, his home course, is where he spent many hours with family and friends. Cal’s G&T orders were never missed by the staff, who knew him well. Golf was also a source of great adventure, including many trips to Florida with long-standing buddies, and family trips to PEI. His last round of golf was in September 2021 at Rustico Golf and Country Club, with Annie in tow. Outside of the beautiful courses in Muskoka and Parry Sound, Cal’s favourite place to hang out, golf, and enjoy friends was Barry’s Bay. Our visits with friends on beautiful Paugh Lake were always a highlight; truly the only other place on Earth that Cal would have agreed to live.

Cal has been cremated and there will be a celebration to commemorate his life on May 14th, 2022, at Muskoka Foundry in Bracebridge, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Out of respect for vulnerable family and friends, we kindly request that attendees wear masks inside the venue, when not eating or drinking. In recognition of Cal’s passion for music and his dedication to musical opportunities for youth, Children’s Foundation of Muskoka has agreed to earmark any donations made in Cal’s name for this purpose. Donations can be made through the Children’s Foundation of Muskoka website located at https://www.childrenofmuskoka.com/.

In the beautiful words of Partridge Lane’s Jamie Boyes, “I want to thank Cal for the love I have for music, and the way he taught me to appreciate it just as much as he taught us to appreciate each other.”

Cal amassed many friends on his journey.  We are thankful for the bounty of love and support we have received from friends, special neighbours and family.