Tribute

Richard Alan Churchill Swan 1928-2011

Al slipped away gently in the love and support of his devoted wife, Rosa, and family on June 23 at Cerwydden Care Centre after a long struggle with a form of Parkinsons.
Richard Alan Churchill Swan was born in Toronto on May 2, 1928, the eldest child of Reverend Minto and Marian Swan. He attended medical school at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, marrying Rosa Irene Dirom, the love of his life, in 1953, one week after his graduation. They both worked at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, during his internship year. In 1954 Al and Rosa moved to Pender Harbour, BC, to St. Mary’s Hospital, then run by the Columbia Coast Mission. They relocated to Sechelt in 1959 and St. Mary’s Hospital itself moved to Sechelt five years later. After many years of clinical practice in Sechelt, Al worked for Medical Services from 1976 to 1980, he and Rosa traveling regularly to remote villages in northern BC. In semiretirement, Al was a relief physician throughout BC and the Yukon, especially in the clinics in Dease Lake and Pender Harbour. It was always his joy to care for families in rural communities.
Throughout their many active years together, Al and Rosa enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and exploring the coast in their boat, Manulele. They camped and hiked, RVing extensively throughout BC and beyond. As Al’s health issues developed in his latter years, Al and Rosa left Sechelt for Duncan, Rosa’s hometown, in 2007, and he entered Cerwydden in May 2010. His quiet courage persevered through increasing physical challenges.
Predeceased by his parents, Minto and Marian Swan and his beloved granddaughter, Hanna, Al leaves to mourn an extended family who loved him dearly: his cherished wife, Rosa, his daughter, Eleanor (Ken), sons, Martin (Jan), Trevor (Susan), and Duane Anderson (Mona), his grandchildren Cameron, Nicola, Emily, Evan, Derek, Gavin, Angela, Cassie (Ryan), Kreg (Jo-Ann) and Shari (Alan), nine great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, his sister, Anne, his brothers, Peter (Marion), and Doug (Louise), cousin Paul (Louise), Rosa’s sister, Eleanor, and brothers, Ian (Eleanor) and Neil (Norma), cousins Robert (Sandy) and John (Nora) and as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Bryan Bass and especially the wonderful staff of Cerwydden whose tender care eased Al’s last months and whose compassionate warmth embraced us all. Thanks also to the many family members and friends who have included Al in their thoughts, love and prayers.
There will be a family gathering in Al’s memory at The Quamichan Inn from 2 – 4 pm on June 26, and a gathering of friends on July 2 beginning at 2 pm at the Sechelt home of Eleanor and Ken (6949 Sunshine Coast Highway). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hanna and Trina Bursary Fund (Gibsons Credit Union), to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation (Sechelt) or to the Cerwydden Senior Society (Duncan).