Lawrence Swanson
April 11, 1926 - October 8, 2014
Tribute
Lawrence was a loving and devoted husband to Helen; beloved brother to Doris Nissen of Qualicum Beach; proud and supportive father to Linda (John) Webber of Kamloops, Bevan (Bonnie Franklin) Swanson of Abbotsford, Richard Swanson of 108 Mile House and Lori Steiner (Dan) of Sechelt; grandfather to Brett (Kaoru) Webber, Bonnie (Martin) Scherrer, Chad Swanson, Ryan (Aubrey Walsh) Swanson and Drew (Angie) Swanson; and the “twinkles in his eye”, his great grandchildren Jayde, Samuel, Elise, Masaya, Mason, Austin and Haruki; as well as other family members and friends. Dad was predeceased by his mother and father William and Emma Swanson, 9 brothers, 1 sister and daughter-in-law Margaret Swanson.
Dad was born the 10th child in a family of 12 children on the family farm in Ridgedale, BC, a quiet rural corner of Matsqui. He first spied our mother Helen Bontron at the old Matsqui Station and was smitten for the remainder of his life. After their marriage in 1946, they worked the family farm with his brother Len. The naming of Swanson Road (Street) in Ridgedale was an enormous sense of pride for Dad. In 1964 when their youngest child Lori was a year old, they sold the farm and moved to a house on York Avenue in Abbotsford. They lived in this home for 47 years. Lawrence was first a dairy farmer and secondly a carpenter by trade. He was employed by Croisdale Construction and by Matsqui and Abbotsford School District. He built houses, barns, bowling alleys, theaters etc. His hands laboured on many projects in the Matsqui and Abbotsford areas. While in the hospital during the past 5 weeks a care giver recognized him as the man that saved their roof from collapsing during a major snow storm on Sumas Prairie many years before. This acknowledgment deeply touched him. Later he became a Field Supervisor at Snowcrest Frozen Foods working alongside his brothers John, Len, Walt and Bill. Dad served as a member of the I. O.O. F. Lodge for 50 years (including 1 year as Grand Master of BC) in Mission and Chilliwack. Dad truly enjoyed the fellowship of his lodge. Our father was a kind and gentle man and always said it was his children were what he cared about the most. His devotion to keeping Mom at home after her dementia took hold and consistent visits to her care home demonstrated a selfless act of love. There will be no service per Dad's request.
In lieu of flowers donations are gratefully accepted to BC Children’s Hospital.
Condolences
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From: Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home Staff
Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Arlene Thygesen
Relation: Family friend
To the Swanson family
We were so saddened to hear of Lawrence’s passing. He was such a great man and known as “Grampa Lawrence” to our own son, Trevor. I hope he and mom and dad are reunited as my parents always cherished your dad as a terrific neighbor and a true and loyal friend. He was one of the first people the Knights met when they moved to Abbotsford and they had a close bond with Lawrence and Helen until their own passing. We have your families in our thoughts and we will always remember your dad for the terrific man he was.
Our sincerest condolences.
Arlene and Peter Thygesen
From: Linda Bontron Devitt
Relation: Grand Niece
I am sorry to the family for the loss of your dad, Uncle Lawrence. I am saddened that some nieces and nephews were not notified – i.e. Yvonne Fraser, Raymond Bontron & Les Bontron. Yvonne’s contact info is in Aunty Helen & Lawrence’s papers. I remember visiting them at their home on York – Uncle Lawrence was a hoot! Aunty Helen always put on a grand tea when company showed up. I was happy to get to know them.
From: Isabelle Karras
Relation: Second cousin by marriage
Lawrence was my second cousin Helen’s husband and he truly was a lovely man. He and Helen were so very helpful with my parents Mike and Bessie Boris (both deceased), and particularly with my mother during her later years. I have always been most appreciative as I live in Ontario and it was gratifying to have relatives close by. My husband and I so enjoyed our visits with them. Our sincere condolences to the family. Isabelle Karras, Oakville, Ontario.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
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Floral Tributes may be ordered directly through our supplier for delivery throughout the entire lower mainland, from Hope to Vancouver:
Wiebe & Jeske Funeral Home
202-31314 Peardonville Rd.
Abbotsford BC
V2T 6K8
info@wiebeandjeskefh.com
604-859-5885
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