COLCLOUGH, Thomas (Tom)

Mar 3, 1961 - Feb 26, 2024

Tom Colclough, a gifted musician known for his soaring clarinet and sax solos, passed away at home on February 26, 2024. He was so close to overcoming leukemia, a stem cell transplant and the resulting graft versus host disease. We think he would have won if he could have battled them on stage.

Tom was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Montreal and North Vancouver. Clarinet became his passion after he joined the North Van Youth Band. One day he "borrowed" his sister's saxophone and could instantly bend notes octaves higher than the manufacturer intended. Bob Rebagliati's band program at Handsworth SS and his years at the UBC Music program launched his award-winning music career.

Tom had summer jobs at Woodward's and Church's Chicken, but could soon support himself with his music and never fried a chicken again. A musician of rare versatility, he could play sax, clarinet, and flute in genres ranging from classical to klezmer to rock. In the 1980s he and Ian Putz, Michael Creber, Norm Fisher, Dane DeViller and Daryl Bennett formed Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, sometimes joined by Bill Sample, and became favourites at the Landmark Jazz Bar. Tom was part of the 2010 Olympic Orchestra and was a sought-after studio musician. He toured Asia and North America with Broadway musicals. In 2003 he proudly released Heading Home, a CD of his own smooth jazz compositions, featuring his friends Andreas Schuld, Rene Worst and Shari Ulrich.

We are deeply grateful to the BMT program at VGH, including Dr. Jennifer White, Dr. Thomas Nevill, and many compassionate nurses. They gave Tom time to marry the love of his life, Melvin So.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, John and Vi. He leaves his husband, his sister Maureen (Alan Bayless), and a gaggle of nephews and nieces. He is also missed by cousin Gail Colclough, uncles Phil (Ruth), Clayton (Sharon) and Dave Yeo and his dear friend Lelani Marrell. To remember Tom with a donation, please consider A Loving Spoonful or the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program of British Columbia