SWARD, George
With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of George Sward on April 10, 2013. Born in Abbotsford to a Matsqui pioneering family on May 3, 1934, George was raised in Matsqui and later lived in Oregon, California, Hope and Mission. George often regaled family and friends with stories of growing up on Matsqui prairie, watching the war planes fly overhead as a youth, seeing snow drifts up to the phone lines and of watching the family farm in Hatzic float away in the flood of '48. George was a hunter, fisherman, gardener, outdoorsman, heavy duty mechanic and, most importantly, a husband and a father. He lived a long and happy life surrounded by good friends, remarkable experiences and great stories. He never shied away from hard work and spent much of his life working on projects that included the Coquihalla Highway, the Wolverine Tunnel and the Carmen Smith Tunnel in Oregon. He was a wealth of information about family genealogy, Matsqui history and anything to do with airplanes, engines or WWII. George is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis, sons Joe (Gaynor) and Tim (Kris), and grandchildren Max, Winston, Peter, Timmy, Tristin and Sierra. Also left to mourn are his brothers Don (Judy) and Wayne (Estella) as well as a large extended family and a huge collection of cherished friends. A celebration of life will be held at the Ridgedale Rod and Gun Club (35655 Harris Road, Abbotsford) on Saturday, May 25th, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Messages of condolence can also be sent to remembergeorge@sward.pw In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the MS Society of Canada or to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.