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Cam Caldwell

Image by Nick Andréka

CAMERON KEITH CALDWELL

January 26, 1955 - May 19, 2023

After a brave struggle with numerous medical issues, Cameron lost his fight in Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre at the age of 68.

 

Cam is survived by his sister Candice in Minneapolis; brother Bruce (Audrey) of Toronto; and his nephews Stuart and Jorin of Toronto.

 

Cam was born in Winnipeg where he spent most of his life. However, he went through his grade school years/formative years in Emerson, Manitoba. Soon after his departure from school he worked and lived in Squamish, BC before returning to, and staying in, Winnipeg.

 

Many of his friends believed Cam to be a blue blood. He was. Not the royal type but his blood was Blue Bomber blue. Much of Cam's life was involved with sports. Playing hockey in high school and in Squamish. Softball everywhere. Football and hockey/hooky in high school. Golf everywhere. He even tried rugby in Alberta. As his athletic injuries took their toll, he turned to officiating hockey in Manitoba.

 

Ever a salesman, Cam talked his way into the position of bat boy for the Winnipeg Whips. The Whips were the AAA affiliate of the Montreal Expos in the early 1970's. He quite enjoyed the summer, even going on a road trip with the team which included a series at the Louisville (Kentucky) Colonels.

 

But active sports and officiating were not his only involvement in sports. 'Koobie' Caldwell was a fanatical fan of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (ask Bob Nicholson). And equally fanatical with the Winnipeg Jets. But Cam was a Canadian Football League fan in general- he attended 37 Grey Cup games.

Back to his active sports days. Carefree Cam had a relative disregard to potential harm to his person when participating in sporting activity. His favorite time in high school football was running back punts, where there is much more bashing than dashing. Reckless on the base paths as a ball player. One day (or night) in Squamish he decided it would be a good idea to drive the car he had borrowed from his brother around the base paths. Things happen and the hood of the car was destroyed! Even golf could prove dangerous to Cam. Golfing with brother Bruce in rural Manitoba, Cam was behind Bruce as Bruce was teeing off.  As usual, Cam was chattering to harass his poor-golfer brother at the tee. Bruce miss hit his tee shot, it slid off the end on the club, rebounded off a decorative rock beside him and nearly turned Cam into a soprano- guess there is such a thing as payback.

 

Cam had a memory like an elephant, even to his last days. Birthdays were never forgotten, anniversaries and other special occasions all had a place in Cam's head. It is a fact that elephants have the largest brain of all land mammals, thus their tremendous memories. Cam may have the brain of an elephant, but his heart was even bigger. He was ever thinking of others and shared everything he had, sometimes to his detriment.

 

As Cam got more ill over a number of years, he lost touch with many of his friends since as his immobility became more and more pronounced. Cam remembered his friends and spoke often of them with brother Bruce. Seems like Cam knew everyone in Winnipeg as well.

 

Cam- we will miss you and cannot forget you!

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Iman

February 19, 2024 at 12:00 AM

A Good soul gone to soon, may he rest in peace. Cam was a very special person to many people, always calls to check on people. Will miss his laugh and stories

Nasra

February 18, 2024 at 11:52 PM

Rest in Peace Cam, he was the most amazing human being I have came across. You are loved and you will be missed 

Sean Nelson

May 31, 2023 at 2:44 PM

Hard to put into words who Cam was or what he ment to all of us – 'Uncle Buck' as he was known to me and my family, perfectly describes the relationship we had with Cam – he was always cheery, always smiling, and always had lots to say! (That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone) Going anywhere with Cam was an adventure in itself, you had to prepare yourself to 'run into' everyone– Cam it seemed always knew everyone no matter where he went. We will miss you dearly Cam and always cherish the good memories. Rest Easy. Sean (Marty) Nelson

Jock Rodgers

May 31, 2023 at 2:22 PM

Rest in Peace, KUBIE. Regards, Jocko. 😟

Dean Yakimenko

May 30, 2023 at 3:11 PM

Good guy...he will be missed. I used to ref hockey with him and we would talk at the Bomber games. A character he was and a lot of fun.😟

Greg Mackling

May 29, 2023 at 6:35 PM

Whenever Cam would call CJOB after a show; there was nothing better than having him tell you how much he’d enjoyed the program you’d just finished hosting. A Winnipeg Legend. You will be missed Kid! I will never forget his phone call following the first ever Sunday Morning Hockey Show way back in 2011. A cherished memory and endorsement! Greg Mackling 

G Kroft

May 29, 2023 at 6:28 PM

Always a caller that had the passion for the Bombers.  Never met him, as old as he was still sounded like a ( Kubi-kid)  RIP  Lets win it all for Cam this year.

Donna and Ernie Kreker

May 28, 2023 at 9:00 PM

Like you said Cam was a True Blue Bomber fan. The coach’s call in show is going to miss him ☺️. Every time I saw Cam he was happy friendly and funny.  Here is a picture of us at Grey Cup in Montreal in 2001 Go Blue!! RIP Cam 💙💛

Donna and Ernie Kreker

May 28, 2023 at 8:54 PM

Bill

May 28, 2023 at 10:56 AM

Thoughts are with the family. A group of us spent a lot of time with Cam in Squamish.I was there for the infamous car around the bases,then round and round through the Burger Baron drive through,then down the sidewalk in front of the Lotus Gradens.One thing about Cam , he always had fun and made sure everyone else did too.Although I haven’t seen him for 35 plus years I will never forget him.Time to dig out the old photos.He will be missed.

Martin Yeroschak

May 28, 2023 at 9:04 AM

My deepest condolences to the family  Cam was one of the kind  Playing ball with Bruno’s Was some of the greatest times I had Cam kept the team laughing  Win or loose  Never a dull moment RIP

john couture

May 27, 2023 at 9:27 PM

I was with Cam for all 37 Grey Cups. Lots of stories but way too many to say. We never went hungry at the Cups because he always had 3 rings of kubi around his neck. Never a dull moment when he was around. RIP.  COOCH

Kelly

May 27, 2023 at 8:39 PM

I went to elementary school with Cam in Emerson, as a matter of fact my friend and I were just reminiscing and Cam's name came up. He was a memorable force in grade 6 for sure! It is wonderful to read the stories about him and know how well loved he was. I am surprised that we did not cross paths in the last 55 years or so, but so it is. I am so happy to know that his life was full and that he was a Bombers/Jets fan! Gotta be from rural Manitoba!

Dan Hawrylyshen

May 27, 2023 at 8:36 PM

Sorry to hear of Cam’s passing, my condolences to his family. Had some great times and laughs. Keep scouting up there Cam. RIP

Jimmy McPherson

May 27, 2023 at 10:31 AM

Crazy Cods....a nickname well earned in the most endearing manner possible. From first meeting Cam at both of our very first practice with the Fort Rouge Packers football team, it was obvious this guy from Emerson was going to be one of the Boys. These days they call them "Glue Guys" on sports teams but back in the early 70's they just called them Cam. He never gave up and always gave his all for the team. When we were 16 and 17 yrs old, we made an epic trip to the west coast in Bruce Willow's Dodge Fargo van and that's when Cam discovered the appeal of the mountains and ocean which prompted a move to Squamish a few years later. We were linemates on the Weldwood Firefighters Men's League hockey team in Squamish for a number of years. Cam was clearly the leader of the team and the most "beloved" (think Sean Avery or Brad Marchand) player in the league. And as horrifying as it sounds given Cam's allegiance to the Bombers, Cam was actually a season ticket holder for one year of the BC Lions! My wife Lynne and I were honored to have Cam as our Best Man at our wedding. That assured good times for all in attendance! Time and geography got in the way over the years but a human being like Cam never really leaves your consciousness. The Legend of Crazy Cods will live forever. Thank You Cam and God Bless.

Bob MacDonald

May 27, 2023 at 9:25 AM

Cods was the most unique character I have ever known. He was of those people that make Winnipeg a special place. The passion he had for our sports teams, particularly the Bombers was second to none. God Speed Koobie Kid… Bobby Mac

Steve

May 27, 2023 at 8:06 AM

I will never forget Cam refereeing an exhibition game with a team from Sweden. His unique sense of humor did not translate well. At the end of the game all he could say was "they tried to make me into a shish kabob! I never knew that was a Swedish dish." And the post-game festivities at the Marigold on Osborne are somewhat hazy but will never be forgotten. 

Blair

May 27, 2023 at 7:48 AM

Cam was a legend as a referee in the South Interlake Hockey League. Smiling and chatting on the ice even throughout the most intense games. One time we were in the finals against Warren and I stopped a breakaway in overtime and Cam skated over to me and said "Did you have to do that? I don't want to miss last call at the bar".

Jorin

May 26, 2023 at 7:32 PM

I'll always cherish my memories with uncle Cam.  Visiting Winnipeg, going to Grand Beach, and the times at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin - I fondly remember one hot summer day there as a kid he blew my mind when he convinced me to load ice cubes in my milk for dipping my cookies in - refreshing! He had a one of a kind charisma, and a good heart. Rest in peace Cam.

Al Jones

May 26, 2023 at 5:54 PM

Crazy, "it's the principle"of the thing" Cods was one of a kind. Gift of the gab, pushing everything & everyone to the limit. We met when the family moved to the Peg, from Emerson and hung out during high school yrs. Trips down south to Margo Forehead, he had a way with words were always an adventure (not always pleasant), but he was always front & centre & life of the party. One word came to mind while chatting with a mutual friend recently to describe Cods, stubborn. That's what kept him going throughout the many challenging yrs he endured dealing with various health issues. Lot's of many good memories Cods, you're gone, but not forgotten. Jonesy
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Ethical Death Care (Death Care Services Inc.) is privately, independently, and locally owned. Shane Neufeld and the original team of Integrity Death Care own and manage this organisation.

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