THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A prominent former MLA and cabinet minister has died.
Arnold McCallum, 77, died on May 25 in Digby, N.S., following a battle with cancer.
McCallum represented the constituency of Slave River, now known as Thebacha, from 1975 to 1987.
Over his years in the legislative assembly, he held various cabinet portfolios, including education, local government, health, social services, and economic development and tourism.
McCallum, who was born and raised on Prince Edward Island, came to the NWT in 1964 to teach at Sir John Franklin school in Yellowknife and later moved to Fort Smith to become principal of Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary school.
The former MLA is remembered fondly in Fort Smith, where he lived until his retirement in 1987.
"He was a real buddy, like a brother," said long-time friend Harold Steed. "We had great times together here in Fort Smith for 20 years."
McCallum served on Fort Smith Town Council before entering territorial politics."He was a community man," said Steed's wife, Milly.
His interest in the community also extended to his retirement in Digby, where he also served on town council.
The Steeds often visited McCallum and his wife, Eileen.
The last time was just before Christmas in Edmonton.
McCallum also returned to visit Fort Smith twice after leaving in 1987.
The final time was about four years ago, when a reception was held in his honour at the Pelican Rapids Golf Course.
Harold Steed recalled McCallum was a great golfer and instrumental in developing the golf course just outside Fort Smith.
"He really spearheaded it," Steed said, adding McCallum often wandered around in the bush envisioning where the golf course could be built.
Along with golf, McCallum curled, played softball and participated in other sports.
In the 1940s and 1950s, he played semi-professional baseball and hockey.
Another friend, retired Territorial Court judge Robert Halifax of Hay River, said McCallum did a lot as a minister to create young offenders facilities and receiving and group homes in the NWT.
"He was a hard worker," said Halifax, who also played hockey and golf with McCallum.
Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos remembers McCallum as a person who cared about people.
"I think he worked very hard at that time to service the needs of the community," Martselos said, adding the former MLA loved Fort Smith and the North."
