Tribute

Carl Michael McCauley our beloved son, brother, soldier and his newest role as an Uncle has lost his battle with cancer. Carl was born April 2, 1986 in Mission, B.C. coming into this world a little guy at just over 12 pounds. He never stopped making us proud from the moment he was born until he left us on the morning of February 11, 2019.

Carl grew up mostly in Duncan, Vancouver Island where he was able to explore many different activities as he grew. He played baseball, football, basketball, and bowling, it wasn’t until he found chess that lead to his love of games that he played until the very end. He also joined sea cadets followed by air cadets. He developed a strong work ethic by being put to work early when as a family we bought a video store.

Ever since Carl was a small boy he wanted to be a fighter pilot, but those dreams were dashed because of eyesight issues, but he continued his dream to serve his country and stood up to put his life on the line to become a soldier. On November 10, 2006 became one of his happiest days when he was sworn in with the military. After he finished Basic the pain became too much and that started the road to cancer.

He received his cap badge becoming a member of the PPCLI (Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry) in the summer of 2008 while receiving radiation treatments.

Carl continued on as a brave young man in hopes to continue his path in the military, but over time he lost his battle with cancer one day at a time. He always, with his trademark answer, when asked how he was? would reply “cancerrific”.

Carl was preceded by his grandfather “Papa Neat Van” in 2006, his grandmother “Grandma Eleanor” in 2009 and his grandfather “Papa Tom” in 2014 who had spent many days by Carl’s bedside in conversation that sometimes could get a little heated.

He leaves to mourn his death, sister and best friend Jessica with one of the best gifts for all of us is Boone that gave Carl a chance to be an Uncle. His Dad, George and Mom, Linda are left with broken hearts of their beautiful boy. Also to mourn is his Grandma Dolores along with many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

We would like to thank the so many people that have walked this journey with us from family to close friends, the nurses, the doctors, pharmacy’s, pharmacists, his physiotherapists first Aislin then Heidi and to everyone that took the time to reach out to us over the years. A special thank you to Linda Faithful for being there for those moments of need.

“It is said to know one’s impending doom can drive one mad, like a ship in a storm. But lost I am not, for I have dropped an anchor. In the efforts that maybe thy death a new world be forged.”  Carl