After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, we announce with heavy hearts the passing of Earl Swayzie on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the age of 84 years.

Earl will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend Dolores Swayzie, sister Gwen Brinkworth  (Don), Son Greg Swayzie (Carol-Ann), daughter Nancy Crane (Jason), stepdaughters Elisa Herms (Dave), Tracy Palmer (Jason), Amanda Sadler (Ian) and 13 grandchildren; Jenna, Ryan, Taylor, Brianna, Mikaela, Chloe, Josiah, Nathan, Michael, Aislynn, Noah, Leif and Reid as well as, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Earl was predeceased by his parents, John and Gladys Swayzie as well as his sisters Alice Dudgeon and Eva Fallis.

Earl was born in Crystal City, Manitoba on February 4, 1934. He was the second of four children. During his younger years Earl worked at multiple laborious jobs, which contributed to him developing a strong work ethic. He enjoyed cars, music, dancing, baseball and boxing. In 1957 he moved to Winnipeg, where he worked as a journeyman lineman with Winnipeg Hydro until 1969, when he left Hydro to pursue his true passion – trees and his own company, St. James Tree Service. Earl could be found talking about the tree business to anyone and everyone. As a pioneer in treating Dutch Elm Disease, he developed a specialized injection system and contributed to the formulation of chemicals which helped him prevent and treat it. Earl never retired from being an arborist. While in the hospital, during times of both confusion and coherent thinking, his conversations were often centered around the topic of trees.

Earl started his boxing career in 1958 at the Madison Boxing Club. He loved the sport of boxing and held titles in three different weight classes as an amateur boxer in Manitoba. Earl was never knocked down, knocked out, nor received an eight count. After he retired from competitive boxing he trained many amateur boxing athletes.

Family, friends, and former co-workers were always important to him. He continually made efforts to visit these individuals, which included many shared stories and jokes. Being a grandfather was a highlight of his life. Spending time with his grandchildren put a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face; he could never get enough of them.

In the later years of his life, Earl turned to his faith in God for strength and guidance. Going to church was very important to him. He loved to sing old gospel songs and hymns, especially with his wife; it gave him great joy.

Earl was a fighter in the health arena as well. He overcame many health related challenges throughout his years. If you knew Earl at all, you knew he was a fighter through and through. On June 21, at St. Boniface Hospital, he fought his last fight. Though Cancer may have won the round, we know that he won the ultimate fight. He has been taken home to be with his Lord and Savior, no longer weighted down by earthly pain or suffering. During his last days Earl was surrounded by family and friends. He passed away into his eternal home, in heaven, with his loving family by his side.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Grant Memorial Church, 877 Wilkes Avenue.

If friends and families wish, donations may be made to panamplace.com, helping homeless at-risk young men ages 18 to 29 become independent members of society, in Earl's memory.

The family would like to thank all of the compassionate staff on the palliative care unit for their  wonderful care. Their kindness, gentleness, and caring actions will always be remembered.

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

- Ephesians 2:8