It is with profound sadness that the family announces the unexpected and tragic passing of Calum W.M. Ross in his 50th year. He was the beloved son of William and Ruth Ross. He will be missed beyond words by his cherished daughters, Abigail and Lexie Ross, whom he loved immensely. Fiona, his sister, and husband Richard and children Kieran, Cameron, and Kyla will miss him dearly. His Uncle Colin and Aunt Lynn were some of his greatest supporters and will deeply feel his absence. Calum had a multitude of dear friends, fraternity brothers, and business partners who he held dear to his heart, many of whom tried to help him through his darkest times.
Calum moved to Canada with his family in September of 1978, where he adapted quickly to the new country, making friends easily and trying to capture and tame the native black and white striped “squirrels.” His sunny disposition and easy-going attitude made him many friends with peers and adults alike.
Academics weren’t especially important to Calum in high school, but nonetheless, he graduated from North Park Secondary School in Brampton, and went off to the University of Guelph to complete his B.Comm in Management Economics and Finance in 1996. While at Guelph, he joined the Fraternity Delta Upsilon and participated in a plethora of charity fundraising events where he also made many deep and lasting friendships.
In 2002, he married Michelle Card. They welcomed two incredibly beautiful daughters, Abbie (2004) and Lexie (2008) who he loved immensely. His passion for his work, drive for excellence, as well as the inner battles that he faced often kept him away and prevented him from being the man and father that he wanted to be.
Calum found his passion early in his career by becoming an incredibly successful Mortgage Broker. He earned his MBA from The Schulich School of Business in 2002 and graduated from the Comprehensive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School in 2010. He was regularly featured in the media as a financial expert, including appearances on Global, CTV, CNBC and BNN. In 2017, he wrote the book The Real Estate Retirement Plan and donated all of the proceeds to Sick Kids Hospital.
Calum won many awards such as Mortgage Broker of the Year (2016), Top Mortgage Brokerage in Toronto (2016), Hot List – Canadian Mortgage Professional (2015), Best Customer Service – Canadian Mortgage Awards (2014), Mortgage Broker of the Year (2014), Hot List – Canadian Mortgage Professional (2014), and the Mortgage Broker of the Year Finalist (2011).
Anyone who truly knew Calum, knew that he was larger than life and commanded a room. His fast pace, quick talking, and charismatic personality always inspired people to be better, become more educated, and to help others.
A private family service was held at the Egan Funeral Home to celebrate his life and accomplishments.
Calum had an incredible love for animals and was passionate about helping others. In lieu of flowers, his eldest daughter Abbie, has requested that donations be made to your local humane society, CAMH, or local food bank in his memory.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Milda Al Sherkeh
Dear Fiona..I am so sorry for your loss.. words fail me as I am trying to express my complete sympathy to you and your family.. the loss of a dear family member is always heartbreaking.. my love, prayers, and thoughts are with you all. If there is anything that I can do for you through this trying times please let me know.
Josie Perkins
I am a friend of Fiona and along with my condolences for the family of her brother for their loss, I add my condolences to Fiona and her family also.
Erin N.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Lexie and my daughters cheered together at PCT. Sending you all light and love during this time of great sorrow.
Marcel Raab
We met in karate class as kids. We hung out at North Park. You hung out with my brother Pete and his friends. We reconnected over the last 10 years at Bloor and Islington where we both had our offices. We had many encounters and discussions. Congratulations on your successes and achievements. You will be missed . Marcel Raab
Matthew McGrath
So very sad to hear this news. Calum has been a long time business partner and friend. He had such a huge heart and loved his daughters so very much. He spoke and bragged of them every chance he could. Everyone who interacted with Calum came away utterly inpressed with his energy, heart, and love for people and the moment.
My heart goes out to his family during this very sad time.
Anna Drummond
I am so sorry for your loss Fiona. I did not know Calum but I know you well and you must be devastated. May you all have strength during this difficult time.
Harry Wilson
The loss of Callum comes as a stunning shock to all who knew him, including his North Park SS teachers. I had the privilege of mentoring and working with his sister Fiona as she began her teaching career at her old high-school with colleagues who had taught both her and her brother. Fiona spoke often of her brother and sensed he would one day accomplish great things. How prophetic she was. On behalf of all Viking staff, I offer heart-felt condolences to the entire Ross family on their loss.
Dr. Gilles BERNARD
Please accept my condolence for your loss. Calum was one of our Harvard fellows. Moreover I personally discovered he was a member of our worldwide fraternity brothen group. Located in Thailand, I please you to light a candle for him, my Bro:. thanks to confirm.
Misha Nahorny
The PLD community at HBS is heartbroken. Our condolences go to Ross’s family. Ross will be dearly missed.
Colin Dalrymple
It has been heart warming to read and listen to the many kind words that have been offered for the life of my nephew, Calum William McLeod Ross.
Calum was an incredibly high achiever, a very complex man who was always looking for the next big challenge. He was well respected in the business world he inhabited and his achievements and successes have been well documented. He was very successful, but was also determined to improve himself and expand the goals he set himself.
Calum was truly a one off. His enthusiasm, his inquisitiveness, his very presence demanded that everyone who he encountered wanted to engage with him and share the energy he exuded. He was never a man that anyone could ignore! He had a magnetism that attracted people from all walks of life and turned heads any time he walked into a room.
Calum and Michelle visited us in Scotland shortly after their marriage in 2002. Their joy and enthusiasm was unbounded and it was obvious that they would make a great team. Michelle was so supportive of Calum in those early days and was instrumental in helping to put him on the path to the successes he achieved. When we visited Canada some years later we were delighted to meet Abbie and Lexie who were just a joy to behold and have developed into two beautiful and wonderful young women. Calum doted on his daughters but had work and personal issues that frustrated his desire to be all that he could be for them. His determination to move on and develop more and more goals were a source of pride, but also came with occasional frustration.
Lynn and I are devastated for the loss of Calum in such tragic circumstances and grieve for Bill and Ruth, for his daughters Abbie and Lexie and for Michelle who has done so much to nurture them, for Fiona his sister who has spoken so eloquently and bravely about him. Fiona’s husband Richard and family Kieran, Cameron and Kyla will add to the large community who will be mourning his untimely passing.
Rest in peace my friend
Colin & Lynn
Eugenia Evans
My very sincere condolences to the Ross Family for this immense loss. Calum was such a supporter of my business in the early years and we would often chat over the phone for what seemed like hours and while he was a good talker he was equally a good listener, which is rare. That such a rare person was taken so early is truly sad and we mourn his passing. Rest in peace dear Calum.
Leslie Gandza
Dear Fiona, my condolences to you and your family.
Elaine Emberg
Fiona and family, we want to offer our deepest condolences. Our hearts are with you during this time of sadness and loss. Wishing you some peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Love, Elaine, John , Luke, Stuart and Reuben
Tuli Parubets
Calum, I am so deeply sad to hear this news. My sincere condolences to your family. I will only remember your big smile, your ability to laugh out loud. Your pride in everything you that you did. I will never forgot your love for your parents, your sister and your kids. May you rest in eternal peace Calum.
Jeff Beck
While I have only known Calum for the past four and a half years, I will remember him for the rest of my life.
His personality was dynamic, and he was always engaging me with business building ideas, personal finance, and the state of the economy. Calum was indeed full of energy and enthusiasm, but was just as interested to hear what I had to say, as he was to share his opinions with me.
I will miss speaking with my friend.
My heart felt condolences to Calum’s daughters, and his entire Family and network of friends and business associates.
Calum will truly be missed, but never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Calum.
Cynthia Manning
To the family of Calum- sending heartfelt condolences and wishing you all light and strength during this most difficult time. Calum was so incredibly smart and charismatic, his Harvard PLD12 friends will never forget him. Rest in eternal peace.
Roxy
My deepest condolences. Recently met Calum and thought he was such a unique and talented individual. Big heart.
May he rest in peace.
-Roxy (California)
Dave Pye
Was at Guelph with Calum. Ran into him at a wedding 20 years later. It was like no time had passed. My deepest sympathies to his children and family. Wonderful guy.
Sarah Putnam
I was extremely saddened to hear of Calum’s passing. Gone far too soon. I have known him for many years in the mortgage industry. I knew how much he LOVED his girls. My heart goes out to the entire family at this very difficult time.
Vince Gaetano
In 1998/1999 while managing BMO’s First Bank Direct’s Mortgage group, I met Calum who was a management trainee looking to climb the corporate ladder. I introduced Calum to the mortgage brokering world when he bought his first condo and a few years later I recruited him to join Mortgage Intelligence (formerly Norlite Financial) where he easily flourished. Calum raised the bar in the industry with a focus on education and professionalism. Over the years, we would bump into each other at industry events and catch up but always wanted to know about family and raved about his two daughters, Abigail and Lexie. He was extremely proud of both of them and I’ll always remember how much he smiled when talking about his daughters. My thoughts to both of them and Calum’s family. RIP.
robb piper
stunned to hear the news of Calum’s passing. Condolences to his family and his beloved daughters. He will be missed, he was a brother. May his memory be a blessing.
Antonio Piazza
From all of the Delta Upsilon brothers and from the bottom of my heart we and I are devastated by the loss of a dear friend and brother. Calum was a truly special human being with a massive heart and a sense of loyalty that was profound. Calum will truly be missed. Calum you were a true friend and an inspiration for myself like so many others. My deepest condolences to family and friends.
Amanda
I was filled with sadness and disbelief when I discovered the passing of a friend, Calum Ross.
Calum was an educated and brilliant man who made a significant impact on our real estate investing community. His personality was loud and he was a fast talker with a lot to say!
Beyond the business relationship over the 10 years I knew Calum, we shared several meals together, drank lots of really good red wine and laughed our asses off.
One of the best memories that comes to mind is when he took us coaches out for dinner during one of the Summits. During this meal, we thought it would be hilarious to call each other’s Moms… the conversations were blurry and we got some good scoop on each other!
The Calum I knew was a kind man who wanted to share his knowledge and teach people. He wanted friendship and to be accepted.
I share my condolences for his family and everyone close to him.
RIP Calum.
Moira Hermiston
Dear Ruth and Bill I was very sad to see the funeral notice for Calum. No words can help but my thoughts are very much with you and your family,
Love from Moira in Scotland.
Moira Hermiston
Anthony Suidan
My condolences. I knew Calum for a short time but it was clear to me that he was a sincere person with a kind heart who meant well for others and would go out of his way to help them in any way he could.
Mark Kerzner
I was out of the country and did not see or hear this news until very recently. I am so very sorry for his family and friends. This is a big loss. Calum was a truly brilliant person and an outstanding mortgage broker. We reconnected this Fall after having lost touch for many years and that was truly wonderful.
I knew Calum as a young and motivated professional when he sat on the FirstLine Mortgage Broker Board of Advisors and recently as he looked for ways to help more and more upcoming professionals navigate their dreams of home ownership.
In our meetings he spoke fondly of his former colleagues and lovingly about his family.
May his memory forever be a blessing.
Mark
Anne
Rest in Peace, Calum.
Dragan Kljenak
Rest in peace my dear Senpai. I will always regret we did not have opportunity to finish your promotion to higher degree of your hard earned black belt in Shotokan Yuma no KiDo karate.
Your enthusiasm and dedication will always be remembered.
Hanshi Dragan
Ben Kawa
A true pro. Larger than life kind of guy. Looked up to by many.
Thoughts are with his family and loved ones and many friends.
Art Trojan
One of the brightest lights I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Fiercely independent and tenacious about his career and life. Truly saddened to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Mark Alltree
This is quite the shock! Our condolences to your entire family. Calum has left a decades long industry footprint of goodness and smarts. A financially detailed and researched mind that never stopped churning out unique business practices and processes. He will be missed by many, no less than all of you.
Melissa Scheichl
Calum was a friend of mine. He encouraged me in my career endeavours and shared anything that would be helpful- connections, insights and good advice. He was honest and genuine about his life and loved his girls fiercely. I recently checked on his Facebook to see what was going on as I hadn’t heard from him in a while …. Shortly thereafter I heard of his passing. I wish I had reached out to him directly to check up on him. Sending my deepest condolences to his parents whom he spoke of with so much love and appreciation, his daughters – the light and loves of his life and to all of his family, friends and colleagues who will no doubt remember him for his authentic kindness.
Diane Leahy
Calum’s energy was contagious ! You always felt alive and learned something new being around him. Although I never met his family – it was clear how much he loves his daughters and family. I am very sorry for your loss .
Daniel Collison
My sincere condolences to Calum’s family. I first met Calum at Schulich when he took my personal finance course, in which he participated enthusiastically. After graduating with his MBA, Calum would come back to Schulich to guest lecture to my class on debt management. We kept in touch over the years and whenever we spoke he would always speak proudly about his daughters. He was a bright light that has been extinguished far too early.
Anita Merlo
My deepest condolences to the Ross family
I knew Calum way back in the mid 1990s with my real estate career .
We always had a great exchange . His tribute was so spot on, larger than life and filled
A room.
Rest in peace.
Adam Liberti
My deepest sympathies, prayers, and condolences for the Ross family.
So fortunate and happy to have been connected with Calum over the past few years.
I will miss our many great conversations, his advice, guidance, and friendship.
Rest in peace Calum, you will be missed.
Dwight Trafford
I knew Calum when he was at MCC. He dominated the mortgage industry and was a constant source of inspiration and ideas. The industry has lost a Titan. All that does not compare to losing a father, a son or a brother, and you have my sincere condolences.
Reza Ghazi
My deepest condolences to the Ross Family.
I was saddened to hear about Calum’s passing. He inspired many, including myself, to succeed in the Canadian Mortgage Industry. He was a role model with his professionalism and commitment to his profession.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Bob Urbanas
We used to use Calum as an adjective… For example, if someone did something well and a little bit out of the box (in a good way)… we would say “That was a little bit Calum-esque”
Teresa Johnston
I always thought of him on top of his game, on a higher level like celebrity. I brushed shoulder only a few times and was in awe. So much passion and knowledge and hard working! Respect!! I am so sorry you have left us .. much too soon.. god bless..
hope you have found peace.. ❤️. TJ
CC
I have just learned about Calum’s passing. Was having casual conversation with some colleagues about how I entered the mortgage industry and I started with working in Calum’s office. It was then I was told about his untimely passing. I am profoundly speechless and cannot believe this very shocking news. My sincerest condolences to the Ross family, and his children. Calum, I hope you have found eternal peace. Rest easy.