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Our Caleb

We all miss you so much.

Let us tell you about how wonderful our beloved Caleb was. 

His Life

Caleb was a bright and curious young man, whose intelligence shone from an early age. He began reading at just 4 years old, and soon after, he was winning board games against adults, mastering complex rules with ease. The number of talents Caleb had was almost unfair; he played the piano beautifully, solved Rubik’s cubes in seconds, juggled, and discussed advanced mathematics effortlessly. 

Caleb’s drive, organization, and passion for learning and teaching were evident in everything he did. He was the President of the Robotics Club at his high school, which he listed as his greatest and most impactful accomplishment. He was also in the top 10% of students at UBC-O where he was enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Program. Caleb enjoyed mentoring younger students and always talked about how proud he was when his mentees demonstrated their learning.

Caleb had an adventurous spirit and nurtured his body and mind with physical activities. He loved ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, hiking, parkour, and mountain biking, and was exceptionally good at all of these. He could ride his bike for hours, go on multi-day hikes, and even do a standing backflip. Caleb went tree-planting as a summer job in 2024, which was a pivotal experience in his life; he was hopelessly enthusiastic about sharing his tree-planting techniques and stories.

Caleb’s kindness, helpfulness, and patience were evident in his relationships. Caleb had many special people in his life who cared deeply for him, and he cared for them just as much. His close friends and partner described him as extraordinarily smart, caring, and someone perpetually ready to hang out. Caleb always valued family and prioritized spending time together. He especially loved being a big brother to Aidan and Ezra.

Caleb had so many plans for the future. He hoped to do another summer of tree-planting, take a level 3 first aid course, and then explore volunteer firefighting. He wanted to do a co-op as part of his engineering program and then planned to return home to Vancouver to live and work. He said that he wanted to stay close to his family, friends, and the beautiful mountains and ocean.

His Death

Caleb’s confidence and curiosity extended to another part of his life where he was seeking adventure. He began experimenting with various substances to relax, have fun, and cope with stressors. Caleb believed he was in control and clearly made a lot of efforts to keep himself safe, including organizing trip-sitting, checking his substances at harm reduction clinics, keeping a naloxone kit, and using fentanyl test strips.

The day before his death, Caleb tried an unregulated benzodiazepine and mistakenly took too much, resulting in an overdose. Though he felt better the next day, his friends helped him get medical care at an emergency room as a precaution. He was medically cleared within a few hours and, somewhat mysteriously, passed away shortly after he got home. While there are still unanswered questions that we hope will be uncovered soon, we do know that he was extremely remorseful in his last hours and had committed to getting help for his substance use. We also know that his death was accidental, and that he died peacefully, knowing he was loved, respected, and cared for.

Caleb’s passing is a devastating loss to his family, friends, and community. His remarkable potential and the bright future he had planned were tragically cut short. Please have the conversation about safe substance use with your loved ones.

– Caleb’s family

25 Comments

  • Brendan McDonald
    Posted January 27, 2025 at 9:09 pm

    Caleb was one the most beautiful souls I ever had the honour to meet

  • Lola
    Posted January 27, 2025 at 9:37 pm

    We are going to love you forever, my beautiful boy. I miss you.

  • Mike Dornian
    Posted January 27, 2025 at 10:18 pm

    Caleb was an amazing, incredible, caring young man, and the nature of his passing does not reflect the type of person he was. Although, I didn’t spend a great deal of time with him as he was growing up, as we lived further away, my wife and I got to know him when he enrolled at UBCO. He spent some time at our house for games and dinner. He had an amazing appetite and was always glad to take some left overs home. He was great at board games and always seemed to win. I had the pleasure of driving him around Kelowna one day, as not having a car, he was limited to where the bus could take him. He had an innate curiosity about the city and after about four hours we had a great lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants. Caleb was extremely proud of his summer tree planting. Once he figured out the technique and he began to make really good money, he enjoyed his time in the bush with the mosquitoes. He was looking forward to going back next summer and making even more money. However, the money wasn’t the sole reason he went tree planting. He valued the independence it brought him and the feeling of being in control of his own life. He got along well with his crew boss and hoped to become a First Aid attendant. Caleb was a joy to be around. I will remember his warm smile, easy laughter, and his ability to fit in and adapt to new social situations. My wife Shelley and I will miss him tremendously. Rest in Peace my grand nephew. Know that you were loved by all who came in contact with your presence. Our deepest condolences to his mother, stepmother, father, and brothers.

  • Ellie Martin
    Posted January 27, 2025 at 10:56 pm

    Caleb was such a bright light. His kindness, laughter, and passion meant more than words can express. I’ll always carry the memories of our time together, especially the days we spent tree planting. He felt like a brother and those moments working side by side and talking about life will always be with me. It wasn’t just about the work; it was about the way Caleb poured his heart into everything he did. He was more than a friend—he was family, and I’ll forever carry the love I have for him.

  • Bobbi
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 4:06 am

    I only met this remarkable young man a handful of times, he was very sweet and respectful. He is the same age as my boy and I cannot imagine the pain his family is enduring at this time. My heart goes out to them.

  • Kenzie Murphy
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 8:04 am

    It’s hard to put into words the amount that Caleb meant to me or the impact he had on me. He planted with me for his inaugural tree planting season where he made major strides in his confidence, tenacity, and determination. He brought a passion to the crew that is rare to find- he inspired those around him be the best versions of themselves, myself included.
    I am forever thankful I witnessed his growth and shared such a pivotal experience with him.
    We spoke nearly once a week about his excitement for the season, his goals, and aspirations for himself and the crew. I hope to honour those in someway this season.
    I will carry the memories and lessons I learned from Caleb not just this upcoming season but in my everyday life.

  • Liam (LJ) Fernandes
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 3:10 pm

    Caleb was one of the first people I met treeplanting, I shared a hotel room with him and some friends and we discussed our excitement for the upcoming season. He taught me to chop wood at the campfire, and everynight we would be there till far too late talking as we watched the embers go dark. He was a spectacular person to work with, but an even more amazing person to be friends with, he would never make you feel awkward or left out. He would take the time to crack a joke anytime he could, Caleb was one of the few people in camp I felt I related to in a number of more personal ways than others. And ill always cherish what he left me with, a whole lot of love and kindness. Thanks Caleb

  • Adél Drew
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 3:26 pm

    Dear sweet boy. My heart breaks. Not only because you made a mistake that cannot be fixed. We have all been there and made mistakes when we were young and through the grace of God some of us were given the opportunity to learn and grow from them. I sorry that you did not.

    My heart also breaks for your family and this senseless loss. I know first hand that grief never leaves you but you do learn to live alongside it.

    All my love xxx

  • Fawad Najam
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 6:46 pm

    I taught Caleb a first-year course (APSC 181 Dynamics) and I am deeply saddened by this news. I remember him as one of my best students. I remember our many conversations where he showed a remarkable level of understanding, brilliance, respect and care. On more than one occasions, he even identified mistakes in my notes and brought them to my attention with great thoughtfulness. Caleb, you will be missed as a brilliant mind and a kind soul. We all will carry your memories.

  • Fortune
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 7:30 pm

    Caleb was the funniest and kindest person I worked with last year. We worked in our Solidworks project together. We also spoke about his treeplanting project. My deepest condolences.

  • Ryan
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 9:51 pm

    I only had the opportunity to interact with Caleb a handful of times, as I had just met him this semester. However, in every conversation we shared, he stood out as a genuine, positive presence. He never condoned negativity or mean-spirited talk about others, which left a lasting impression on me. I was especially struck when he spoke about his time tree planting this past summer—his pride in the hard work and long days he put in was evident and I remember him wearing his tree planter hoodie. His kindness and integrity will be remembered.

  • Dylan Zander
    Posted January 28, 2025 at 11:29 pm

    Upon learning of Caleb’s death, the news didn’t seem real, and to a certain degree it still doesn’t.

    I met Caleb in grade 12 through the FRC robotics team at Templeton Secondary, where we were both heavily involved in the team. We spent countless hours after school in the Templeton woodshop building the robot for the competition. After meeting through robotics and high school, we went mountain biking together back in Vancouver. He was one of the people who convinced me to transfer to UBCO for engineering, so in a way, all the great experiences I have had at UBCO are because of Caleb.

    Caleb was an incredibly kind, funny, helpful and intelligent person. He brought so much positivity to everything he did, no matter what it was. Whether it was working together on an assignment, or just briefly chatting between classes, Caleb brought a unique genuine positivity to every conversation he was a part of.

    I wish I could have spent more time with Caleb, but that isn’t an option anymore. Instead, he will forever be remembered as a great friend, who always wanted what was best for those around him.

  • Danny Fairall
    Posted January 29, 2025 at 12:33 am

    Caleb was one of the first people I met at UBCO, as we had been randomly put in the same design group. He was intelligent, funny, a very hard worker, a great creative thinker, and he was the only one of us who had 3D modeling experience at that time, which made him absolutely crucial to the team. We would not have done as well as we did without him there, and I wish I had spent more time with him after that semester.

    He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

  • Stu Gershman
    Posted January 29, 2025 at 3:41 pm

    What a beautiful and honest tribute to Caleb. What a tragedy to lose him. I feel like I a part of me knows him now, even though I never met him. Having lost a son 10 years ago, I share in the grief with the family and the community that Caleb created. Be there for each other and keep talking about him. Honor him forever as he will always be a part of your lives. 💚

  • Steph & Harsh
    Posted January 29, 2025 at 8:45 pm

    Caleb, i didn’t get to meet you but I can see just how much love you were surrounded by with your friends and family. You sound like you were a wonderful individual that I would have enjoyed meeting. Sending blessings and love to the family and all those who knew him during this difficult time grieving his absence here on earth. I’m sure he’s a part of bigger plans in the ether, as he continues to shine his light in ways we may not be able to comprehend.

  • Jay Williamson
    Posted January 29, 2025 at 8:54 pm

    A tragic reminder of how we are all really one breath away…and perhaps of some of the hidden difficulty of shining so brightly. In all the times we have met over the years, your sharp wit and smile always left a strong impression. Thinking of you and your family with a heart full of grief, and also love!

  • Grant Topor
    Posted January 30, 2025 at 9:42 pm

    The inner- brilliance of this young man, is clearly described here by those fortunate enough to have known Caleb. I was not lucky enough to have met him, however, I am reminded of the complexities and challenges our youth face daily, often in solitude. They each have their journey and story, which are worth considering and pausing to understand more completely.

  • Nami
    Posted January 30, 2025 at 11:15 pm

    Wow, this is heartbreaking news. Caleb was a great kid with a wonderful sense of humor—my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

  • Nate Sawyer
    Posted January 31, 2025 at 3:39 pm

    I was deeply saddened to hear about Caleb’s passing. Though we worked together for a short time, his kind heart and infectious energy left a lasting impression. Tree planting is hard work, but Caleb brought a positivity that made the days brighter for everyone. To everyone who knew him, I hope you’re able to hold on to the good memories and find some peace in them. He’ll definitely be missed.

  • Mika
    Posted January 31, 2025 at 8:50 pm

    I will never forget the kindness Caleb showed me, especially in our younger teen years when most of his peers were still learning the compassion he was so good at. I saw his compassion even more in his love for my best friend, he was an ally in caring for them in the toughest times. We shared a number of spaces over the years, but that was where he shone the most. He was so full of love for them. He will be so deeply missed. My heart is with his family and loved ones.

  • Freddy Chandler-Baas
    Posted February 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm

    I had the pleasure of meeting Caleb this summer and tree planted on his crew. Although he was quiet at first it quickly became clear that he was a very intelligent, funny, kind, driven, and down to earth person. He always held himself to a high standard but still found a way to never take life too seriously. His attitude towards planting and life as a whole regularly brought a calming and inspirational presence to my life (and I’m sure many others). I feel grateful to have known him for the short time that I did and will miss him very much.

  • Bridget McGee
    Posted February 2, 2025 at 10:14 pm

    Words cannot express the sadness we feel for the loss of our nephew Caleb. He was more like a brother than a cousin to my boys growing up. I was very proud of the man he had become. He has always been smart, and a joy to be around. Recently he had become much more confident, and happy with the direction his life was heading. He had big plans for the future. We are all shocked by his passing.
    One of my favorite memories of Caleb was from when he and my son Blake were really young. Blake used to always have a soother clipped to his shirt. It was so much a part of him that one day it was just dangling and Caleb walked up and put the soother in Blake’s mouth like ‘This belongs here’

  • Andrew Fielding
    Posted February 4, 2025 at 12:00 am

    What a tragic loss… I had the pleasure of coaching Caleb a few years back for a summer ultimate team he played on. Caleb was always enthusiastic, had a drive to improve and was rarely seen without a smile. He was well liked and respected by his teammates, often quick with a high-five or a word of encouragement. In ultimate, we have a guiding principle of something called “Spirit of the Game,” which basically states that as a player, you compete vigorously but always with integrity, honesty and grace. Caleb embodied these principles on the field and, from what I understand of his life off field, did so there as well. I wish his family and friends my most heartfelt condolences. I hope that his kind, adventurous and curious life can be an inspiration for all of us and his tragic death can help bring about change to this terrible drug epidemic.

  • Sean Overin
    Posted February 8, 2025 at 9:44 pm

    We all make mistakes in life, and with time, we get the gift of learning and growing from them. It’s heartbreaking that Caleb didn’t get that chance. Though I only had a few interactions with him, his kindness and warm-hearted presence were evident. His absence is deeply felt, and my heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved him. Wishing strength and comfort to all who are grieving.

  • Avis Picton
    Posted February 9, 2025 at 7:07 am

    I am so moved by these tributes to this young man. I did not know him, but I worked with Shelly Dornian. I too lost an adult (step)son under tragic circumstances and my heart goes out to all of Caleb’s family and friends. May you take comfort in one another and your shared memories.

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