Tribute

Just over two months short of his 80th birthday, Ed passed away peacefully at the Christine Morrison Hospice in Mission with his family by his side. He was a devoted husband, amazing father to 3, super grand-dad to 5, little brother to his 3 surviving siblings and friend to many.

Ed was born in Galahad, Alberta on September 25, 1939 to Nels and Ollie Swaren. “Sir Edward the Last” (as he often called himself) was the youngest of seven children.  In 1942 the family moved to Mission, BC where he spent his formative years.  As a child, he could never have known the impact this move would make on his life; he became an integral part of this town on many levels.  In high school Ed thrived on sports. He played everything he could, from baseball to volleyball and he had a special talent for basketball and track and field.  In his graduation yearbook, “Eddie” was described as “Mission’s all-round athlete.” His keen interest in sports would lead to a lifelong passion for all things athletic. If he wasn’t playing golf or curling, he could be found watching them (or hockey) on TV.

Ed was also an accomplished student and a passionate learner. He graduated from Mission Secondary in 1957 and went on to get his two-year teaching certificate at UBC.  At the young age of 19, he started teaching in Prince George and then in France. He returned to Canada and finished his bachelor’s degree and then in 1972, set off on a two-year adventure with his young family where he eagerly took on the job of principal of the Canadian Forces Base high school in Baden, Germany.  Upon his return, he went back to Prince George where he raised his family and worked as a school principal and as an administrator in curriculum development.  In 1978, he earned his Master of Education degree at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.  In 1980, he moved back to Mission, and continued his career in Maple Ridge as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools until he retired in 1996.

In Mission, Ed took pride in contributing to the community by volunteering on committees including one for the BC Games. He was also known to make his voice heard at the city council or in letters to the editor when he was concerned about an issue in his town.

Ed loved to travel and this was something he and Jen, his soulmate and wife, did often. From Mexico, to Hawaii, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand they had so much fun discovering the world.  Wherever the travels took him though, he would happily return to his hometown of Mission to take walks along the dike and play a round or two at his beloved Mission Golf and Country Club.

Above all Ed cherished his family and will be sadly missed by Jennifer, his wife of over 52 years, and their children and grandchildren: son – David (Cristina), daughters – Leanne (Shawn) and Carolyn (Rick), and grandchildren – Ben, Julianne, Sam, Vance and Cabe.  He will also be fondly remembered by his brother Howard (Leona), sisters Leona and Vera, and a multitude of in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Ed was predeceased by his parents Nels and Ollie Swaren, his brothers Floyd and Willard, and his sister Emily.

Online condolences may be made at bakerviewcrematorium.com. A celebration of his life will be held on August 10, 2019 from 2:00-5:00pm in the banquet room at the Best Western hotel at 32281 Lougheed Hwy, Mission BC.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada or the Mission Hospice Society.