Roger Swanson

Roger Swanson April 28, 1916 – February 4, 2019 Roger passed away peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital on February 4, 2019 with family at this side. He had enjoyed 102 plus years of what he always described as a “very good life”. Roger was born in Kenora on April 28, 1916 to Hulda and Conrad Swanson. As a youngster, Roger enjoyed summers fishing with his Dad in their family-built boats and in winter, cross country skiing and ski jumping on skis fashioned by his Dad. He also shared many happy times with his sister Audrey. Early in his life Roger began playing the violin and soon started a life long journey in the world of music. Roger became involved in the Kenora High School orchestra, both performing and conducting. In 1938 after graduating high school Roger attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto on scholarship where he began performing with the Conservatory Orchestra. In 1941 his music education was interrupted for a bit while Roger enlisted in the RCAF and became an armaments instructor. It was here that Flight Sergeant Roger Swanson met the love of his life, Corporal Jane Blair. Jane and Roger married in 1943, raised two children and celebrated just short of 69 years as husband and wife. Following the war Roger and Jane returned to Toronto where Roger continued his education at the Conservatory becoming Concert Master with the Conservatory Orchestra and obtaining his A.R.C.T. (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto). Following graduation, Roger and Jane made Kenora their home. In 1948 Roger joined the Kenora School Board as Music Supervisor and over the years became Consultant, then Director and finally Co-Ordinator of the Music Program. Working with many dedicated teachers, he did his best to pass on a love of music to his young students through voice and instruments. Some of his private violin students went on to become very accomplished musicians. Very active in the Kenora District Festival of the Arts, Roger took great pride in his involvement with student choirs, school bands, violin students and the Bethesda Lutheran Church Choir; enjoying the position of choir director for 34 years. Roger took on the role of President of the Festival of the Arts from 1960 to 1962. Later in life Roger became part of the Kenora Strings and enjoyed sharing his love of music with other local musicians. Roger’s other passions included golf and curling. At the age of nine, Roger was taken under the wing of the original Kenora Golf Club Professional, Jack Vernon, who taught him the foundation of his future golf game. Many wonderful afternoons were spent with close friends on the links and family golf trips were a yearly event. His dedication to the game garnered him two Club Championships and a Senior Championship. Roger spent many years as skip of his Kenora Curling Club team and after retirement joined the Senior Men’s league in Keewatin. Roger was predeceased by his loving wife Jane in 2012. Roger is survived by son Blair and his partner Muoi, daughter Dale and son-in-law Ken MacKenzie and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. The family would like to thank Jan Robertson and Dad’s Supportive Housing family at Benediction Court for their care and compassion and for making independent living possible for so long. Thank you also to the doctors and 3rd floor nursing staff at Lake of the Woods District Hospital for their dedication and gentle care in Dad’s final days. A memorial service in celebration of Roger’s life will be held at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., Rev. Meg Illman-White officiating. Refreshments and reminiscences will follow at the Clarion Lakeside Inn. Cremation has taken place and the family will hold a private interment at a future date. In lieu of flowers the family asks that anyone wishing to honour Roger do so by way of a donation to the charity of one’s choice. “He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much” Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.