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Sep 24, 1949 - Jun 9, 2018
It is with profound sadness and shock that we announce the passing of Cecil August Swanson and Gary David Swanson on June 9th, 2018. Cecil passed of a sudden heart attack while on his way to visit his son for one last time at Red Deer Regional Hospital.

Cecil was born Jan 16, 1925 in Champion Alberta, the son of Gus and Ruth (Rench) Swanson. The family moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta to farm, after receiving his schooling Cec joined the army in 1944 with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in Holland.  At the conclusion of the war, Cec returned home to Grande Prairie, then moved to Calgary in 1946 where he started working as a Court Clerk. During this time, he met and married his lovely wife Alice Eve in 1948. Transferring to Peace River in 1961 as a Clerk of the Court and Sheriff, he also became a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion. They then moved to Red Deer in 1971 where he finished his working career in 1980. Hockey was always a big part of Cec's life, his early hockey was on dugouts, ponds, lakes and rinks that he, his brothers and friends made themselves. Cec played, coached, and managed Hockey teams all his life, and for a brief time was a part owner of the Red Deer Rustlers.   For his active role in the sport of hockey, Cec was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. He was President of the AJHL for a total of 5 years and served as a Zone Director with the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association on different occasions. Cec loved all sports especially baseball, golf and hockey, however, hockey was his absolute passion. Swanson Skate Sharpening was opened in 1975 and still runs to this day. Cec was also a Marriage Commissioner for many years and was an Independent Chairperson for the Bowden and Edmonton Institutions.

Gary David Swanson was born in Calgary Alberta on September 24, 1949, raised in Peace River. Hockey also ran in Gary's blood, playing major Junior for Swift Current and Estevan, as well as College Hockey in Superior Wisconsin. Gary worked for Border Paving for 35 years as an equipment operator and sharpened skates at the family business for many years. The greatest joy of Gary's life was his role of Santa for 15 Years at the Parkland Mall, in this he touched many lives.  He worked all year on the perfect beard. His Christmas Eve was always spent at the Red Deer Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. Over the years Santa held many private functions with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House and Red Deer Women's shelter.  Gary never married or had any children but every child that came to see Santa was like his own.

Cec and Gary both answered to Swany but to us they were Dad and Brother to Deb (Terry) King.  Grandpa and Uncle to Keith (Justine) King and Blair King. Also left to mourn these two wonderful men are the great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, Travis, Breanne, Jessica, Avery, Carson, Morgan and Ethan, special nephew Rick (Becky) Parton and family to Cec and cousin to Gary, special family Rene King, Shannon and Michael Hazuka. Preparing to say a final goodbye to his son, Cec passed peacefully at home, never having to endure the pain of losing his son. Gary passed peacefully after complications from a stroke. The two of them were each other's company and caregivers since Alice's passing on March 2017.

A big thank you to the staff at Victory Park Retirement Village, the staff in the ICU Red Deer Regional Hospital, (they were amazing) all Medical staff that have touched their lives. 

At the request of Cec there will be no service, if friends desire donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or The Ronald McDonald House. Expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca

WILSON'S FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM,

of Lacombe and Rimbey in charge of the arrangements. 403-782-3366 403-843-3388

"A Caring Family, Caring for Families"

for over 40 years

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Wednesday, December 31, 1969
4:00 PM
Array