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Fredrick Swain

February 21, 1955 - September 15, 2020

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Fred became an angel on September 15th, 2020, he was in his 66th year.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Leighan and children, Sheila (Clint), Sherry, Jenny (Trevor), Shannon (Dustin) and Scott (Rosie).  He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Bailey, Brock, Casey, Chloe, Tanner and Lindsay.  Fred also leaves behind his brothers and sisters, Susan (Russell), Wesley (Jennifer), Donna (Ted), Patricia (Dale), Frances, Billy (Shelley), Leland and many nieces and nephews.

Fred was born in Portage La Prairie Manitoba to Bill & Irene Swain (predeceased), he was their second born child of a family of eight children.  Fred learned early to work hard and laugh lots.  The Swain family moved to the Cowichan Valley in 1966 where Fred would enjoy his early years with his life long friend John Trottier.  Hunting, fishing, Coors Light and smiling at pretty girls would lead him to his first love Patricia (predeceased) and the joys of parenthood with three beautiful daughters to follow.

Fred revelled in being a parent and teaching his girls about nature, camping, sports, the importance of family, friendships and having a good time with a good laugh.

Later on in years Fred met his second love Leighan and gained another daughter and son.  Soon he would be enriching all their lives with his values, sense of humor, determination, hard work and the ethics of love.

Always a Nascar cap on his head and a stanfield on his back, the smell of chopped firewood the love of a faithful dog by his side, and a Coors in hand as he would reflect on drywall stories, or another great hunting story, which were told many times, but we loved to hear them each and every time.

Fred loved and was so proud of all his children and grandchildren for who they were, who they became or were becoming.  He loved each one for their individuality.  A proud Dad & Grandpa whether sitting watching them play baseball, horseback riding, football or hockey and even being their coach where he influenced many young people with his work ethics and love for life.

Fred was a Master Drywaller and was known as Hillcrest Drywall and prided himself as being “The Best”.  He became friends with many in the construction industry and was very respected by his peers. He also mentored many during his career including brothers, son, son-in-laws and a few fledging nephews and young men.  Big Wes and Chad in later years. 

Fred was all about sports and he played hockey in his early days at a Junior B level earning the nickname “Fearless Freddy” and later in life coached many youths in Duncan Minor Hockey Club along with Big Mike.

Fred enjoyed and made many more friends playing slow pitch with his team Hillcrest Drywall.  A good game, lots of laughs and a cold beer with friends afterwards, but his passion in life was hunting and Nascar.  A Dale Earnhardt look alike with a passion to match.  A race was not to be missed or at least taped.  Fred travelled to many Nascar races and his family learned to love the motorsport of Nascar.

His love for hunting was part of his soul. He was a member of the Lake Cowichan Fish & Game Club for more that 40 years and shared his passion of hunting with family and friends.  An oil canvas wall tent, a good hike, a bit of fishing, a bear, elk, moose, dear, sheep for the freezer to share with family and friends later, was a good hunting trip with brothers, Billy, Wes, PeeWee, Scotty, son-in-law Clint and Fred’s buddies Dennis Cronin (predeceased), Wesley Elzinga and many others.

Fred’s dream was to semi retire in the north country.  Six years ago Fred, with Leighan’s support of fullfilling his dream bought 4 acres and built their dream home with the construction knowledge and help from a long time friend  Jock Camplair in 150 Milehouse.  Unfortunately his dream of hunting and fishing in wide open spaces was cut short because of health issues that plagued him in the last few years.  So they moved back to Vancouver Island to be with family and friends and make a new home.

A man with his hat on his head a “hey bub” on his lips and “I love you my girl” or “ I love you my boy and “I love my wifey”, always a smile and a laugh in his voice, a cold Coors Light in hand and a sparkle in his brilliant blue eyes.  Freddy peacefully and quietly left this earth in his sleep, and leaves behind those whom he loved so much to miss him for all eternity.

 

               Fred you are the love of my life and my everything.

                     Love You Always Leighan (your wifey)

 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

His family would like to thank his doctors and nurses for their care and compassion over the last few years.

 

Donations can be made in Fred’s memory to the B.C Cancer foundation

or a charity that is important and meaningful to yourself in his memory. 

 

 

 

 

Condolences

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Pages: 12

From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre

H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.

From: John Trottier
Relation: friends

I will always be thinking of Fred when i hear the songs from the beatles album Sergeant Peppers lonely hearts club band.Has a matter of fact I am going to play it right now.

From: Wendy Grimm Smith
Relation: Second cousin

I was so sorry to hear about Freddie’s passing. I only remember Fred as a small boy in Cowichan as our family vacationed on Vancouver Island in Duncan where a lot of our dear relatives lived. It has been many a year since I saw the Swains, but I will always remember my cousins. Again I am sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. May God be with the Swain family at this time.

From: Paul and Jo Hamar
Relation: Friend

Sending huge hugs to you all. We will always remember Fred as the kind, caring man he was.

From: Paul and Jo Hamar
Relation: Friend

Sending huge hugs to you all. We will always remember Fred as the kind, caring man he was.

From: Paul and Jo Hamar
Relation: Friend

Sending huge hugs to you all. We will always remember Fred as the kind, caring man he was.

From: Stu Taylor
Relation: friend

Leighan, Wes and family, so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. He was a great guy and so miss the Cody Classic with all you guys. Will never forget our first meeting, when we were building our house. We needed a drywaller ASAP, and there were none to be found. My wife said, ” just look in the yellow pages, oh here is Hillcrest ” I said they are the best and busiest…we need someone tomorrow, they will never do it. She called and Fred said ‘sure’ we will be there on Monday….the rest is history and we became friends. Thank you Fred and Wes. P.S. best drywall job ever
Stu Taylor

From: John and Betty Francisty
Relation: Friend

We were saddened to hear of Fred’s passing. He was a kind soul. We will never forget all the great memories we made over the many years of hockey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

From: Mary Hebden
Relation: Friend of Darcy and Mike.

Dear Leighan, My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. I only met Fred a few times and remember his smile. I have enjoyed hearing about his full life through Darcy and Mike. This time is a strange time for you as you grieve. There will be really rough times and there will be easier times. Eventually there will be more frequent easier days and you will find your feet again and be able to think of Fred without feeling the current raw pain of loss. keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending a big hug, Mary

From: Cindy Savery
Relation: I've known Leighan since high school, she's still beautiful <3

Deepest Sympathy, so sorry for your loss, God Bless

Pages: 12

Service Schedule

Private service arrangements have been made.

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