Jun 29, 1928 - Mar 9, 2018
SWAINSON, Bryan
1928 - 2018
It is with heartfelt sorrow, that we announce the peaceful passing of our father, Mr. Bryan Walter Swainson on Friday, March 9, 2018 at the age of 89 years.
Bryan was born June 29, 1928 in Banff, Alberta, when he caught his parents off guard, while on vacation. He was raised along the Burnt Lake Trail with ten brothers and sisters. They thrived on their homestead with hard work and a love of farming.
Bryan graduated from the Red Deer High School and was inducted into the LTCHS Hall of Fame. It was at High School where he met the love of his life, Mavis Marshall. They were married in 1953, and together they farmed close to the family homestead.
After farming, he began a successful fifteen year career in Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Sales with S.R.M. and then R. Angus.
In 1971, while shopping for a new car, he decided instead on buying the dealership and renamed it Southside Plymouth Chrysler. Bryan was President and General Manager for the next twenty-five years. He truly valued his staffs hard work and commitment. Southside remains a thriving Family owned and run business which brought Bryan great joy.
During this period, he built Southside Village on the original dealership location and it remains family owned thirty years later.
From a young age, Bryan was very active in his community serving as a Director, Chairman, or President of numerous organizations. These included The Kiwanis Club of Red Deer and Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation, Red Deer Regional Hospital, The United Way of Central Alberta, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Alberta Summer Games, Chrysler Dealers Council and The RVDA of Alberta. Bryan was a founding director of the Kiwanis Club, Red Deer Safety City Society and a Church Warden for St. Luke's Anglican Church.
Bryan was always ready to help raise needed funds for the less fortunate, for children, and for health needs in Central Alberta. He always had a warm smile and handshake for so many people he met and worked with.
Bryan was Maclean Magazine Canadian Dealer of the Year in 1995 and Southside was the Business of the Year in 1988. Both awards, he credited to his dedicated employees.
Bryan will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Peggy, daughters, Teri (Mark) Ryan, Chris (Les) Wiggett, and Sherry (Tim) Sinclair and son, Peter (Deborah); grandchildren, Michael (Mariette), Spencer, Matthew (Stephanie), Amanda, and Marshall (Sarah) and great granddaughter, Lara, all of Red Deer, Alberta. Bryan will also be sadly missed by his brother, Jack, sisters, Pearl Nelson and Winnifred Thompson; and over fifty special nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
Bryan was predeceased by his wife, Mavis, an infant son, Michael, brothers, Alfred, Dick, Roy and Stan and sisters, Gerry, Ruth and Helen.
A Funeral Service will be held at CrossRoads Church, Corner of 32 Street and Highway 2, 38105 Range Road 275, Red Deer County, Alberta on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Dan Cochrane officiating.
The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Dr. Hopfner for his continued care and concern for Dad.
If desired, Memorial Donations in Bryan's honor may be made directly to STARS Air Ambulance at www.stars.ca or to the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation at www.rdrhfoundation.com.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements in care of
PARKLAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM,
6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer.
403.340.4040 or 1.800.481.7421.