Joseph (Joe) Stanley Paul Swerda

Joseph (Joe) Stanley Paul Swerda passed away peacefully with Ann Marie at his side, on October 6, 2017, in Thunder Bay hospital. Joe was born on August 22, 1939, in Mundare, Alberta, to Mary (nee Homeniuk) and Stanley Swerda. Joe had a deep faith and was a member of the Anglican Church.

He grew up near Round Hill, Alberta, with his seven siblings, thriving in the beautiful countryside, learning the hard work of farming at an early age, and forming friendships that lasted throughout his life. He often talked about his Mom's wonderful meals made from their farm garden produce and of his Dad bringing him and his siblings chocolates when he returned home from a week's work in the coal mines. He humorously recounted how he and his twin brother decided to help their Dad by greasing the entire wagon not just the wheels!

He loved his family, his neighbourhood, his community of Atikokan and spending time at home and in his garden. He was a Millwright by trade, a member of C.A.R.P. and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #145 - Atikokan. He took daily walks in Bunnell Park to Little Falls, coming home with a smile because he had met an old friend or made a new one that day. He especially enjoyed spending a day exploring the area's bush roads with a friend of more than 50 years, having coffee with friends and playing bocce ball at the Pioneer Club. His face lit up when friends delivered gourmet jams and meals to his door. He always said that Atikokan was 'God's country.'

He will be deeply missed by Ann Marie, his sons, Darren and Darwin, his grandchildren: Ayla (Kaidance, Mercedes, Keira & Tyrell), Joshua (Erin - Emma & Jade), Alexandra, Hayley, Scott and Avanna, and his special 'daughter', Leona. His sister Anne, brother Ray and sister-in-law Kathy, twin brother Ted and sister-in-law Martha, all of Alberta, will miss him dearly, as will many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and Ann Marie's family who loved him as a brother and an uncle.
He was predeceased by Frankie, his first love and the mother of his sons, his parents, Mary and Stanley Swerda, his brothers, Louis and Walter, his sisters, Tonie and Margaret and his niece, Debbie.

May his soul rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life service will be announced. Inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Thunder Bay. If you desire, memorial donations would be welcome to a charity of your choice.

We would like to include a special thank you to friends, John Hamrak and Cathy and Ray Laquerre, who helped Joe in his 'hour of need'; and to the air ambulance and hospital staff who cared for Joe, enabling him to see his family before he passed.