Eric Swaine

Eric was born on November 6, 1926 in Westmount, QC and died on September 21, 2018 in Portage la Prairie, MB at the age of 91 years.

Eric was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Fred and Harriet Swaine, infant daughter Valerie, son Eric, sister Margaret Reade and brothers Fred, Ralph and John (Ruth).

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Pamela, children Alan (Terry) of Ottawa, ON and John (Glenda) of Portage la Prairie, MB, grandchildren Greg (Jennifer), Lauren (Tom), Mariah (Jonathan), Katarina and Levi, great-grandchildren Jasper, Ivy, Lily and Grace, in-laws Colin (Lorraine) Taylor and Janet Swaine as well as numerous nieces & nephews and many close and dear friends.

Eric graduated from McGill University in 1950 with a B.Sc. in Agriculture. He served as a member of the Royal Montreal Regiment in 1945, prior to the end of WWII, and also as a volunteer in the Canadian Army Pacific force during WWII.

Eric was employed at Canada Packers in Montreal after graduation. He and Pamela were married in 1951, and moved to Sudbury ON, where Eric spent 16 years in the grain & feed business, before moving to Toronto, ON where he joined the Campbell Soup company, and was then transferred to their Portage la Prairie plant in 1969.

While in Sudbury, The family spent summers at their cottage at Long Lake, and after moving to Portage, Eric & Pamela enjoyed travelling to many destinations across North America and Europe, and after retirement, they wintered in Weslaco, TX for 14 years.

An avid sportsman, Eric played high school and varsity football and hockey in Montreal, where he was MVP for both the Montreal West division in high school and for the MacDonald College (McGill) football team in 1949-1950.  His interest in sports continued as an active participant in amateur baseball, curling and as a long time member of the Portage Golf Club. Eric was also an avid dog lover – he could often be seen walking with one of his beloved cocker spaniels over the years.

Eric contributed to his community in many ways. He was an active member at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Portage, as well as an active Rotarian for 31 years. He was proud to serve with organizations such as Portage Services for Seniors, as a driver to Winnipeg, Child & Family Services, the Portage Soup Kitchen, was a multiple donor to Canadian Red Cross Blood Services and delivered Meals on Wheels for 8 years.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Gladstone Health Centre, Lions Prairie Manor, and Portage General Hospital for the wonderful care that both Eric and Pamela received during their time there.

Memorial Service will be held at St. Mary’s la Prairie Anglican Church on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John Dolloff officiating. Interment to follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.

204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com