“Swede”, a kind, generous, loving and loved gentle soul, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Valleyhaven Retirement Community. Also nearby were numerous members of the kind and caring staff.
Son of Dorothea and Thorvald Larsen he was born and raised in Chilliwack. Sharing the household was his maternal aunt Sophia Engel, hairdressing business partner of his mother. Swede always said he was raised by two mothers, which he didn’t seem to mind. During the second world war, the Larsen’s expanded their family by the addition of three London Blitz ‘orphans’ whom Swede considered his ‘foster’ siblings. They got along so well that the eldest, Cyril stayed on after the war to finish his High School. Like Swede he played saxophone and together they played in Neil Unruh’s dance band during that time. The middle sibling, Eileen has returned several times for extended visits, and the youngest, Gordon, came back to BC and still resides in Courtenay.
After Gr. XIII graduation in 1948 Swede worked the summer on flood control, following which he left to join the RCAF, first as a Radio Tech, then remustering to aircrew, specifically, pilot. He trained on Harvards and during his career flew the Vampire, F86 Sabre (his favorite), CF 100, CF 101 and T-33.
His saxophone lay dormant during his military life until a ‘Reserve’ posting to Trenton where he played in the base band. Upon retirement Swede and Caron moved to Chilliwack where Swede continued his ‘musical career’, playing in the Community Band. Soon after he joined the Masonic Order followed by Shriner’s of BC and Yukon and was part of their Concert Band. Later he also played with a small group of musicians leading the musical side of worship at the New Life Church in Chilliwack. Unfortunately the onset of dementia ended his musical career a few years later. Earlier his love of music and dancing helped convince him to join the Chilliwack Rhythm Reelers (square dancing) and Dancing Shadows (round dancing).
Throughout his military career, which span over 32 years, he travelled extensively, not always by choice. After retirement he and Caron took many cruises and trips to Europe, South America, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, (pretty well always by choice!). While on curling trips to Switzerland they made many friends, and even won a few prizes, returning to the same bonspiel ten times, but never learning to yodel!
Swede was predeceased by his parents, by his first wife, June, in 1970, an infant brother, Dan, and one of his ‘foster’ brothers, Cyril. Mourning his loss is his wife, Caron, of 49 years, his children Kathleen, of Lacombe, AB, Bruce (Sandy) of Edmonton, AB, Dana (Mike) of Mallorytown, ON, Nancy (Billy) of Ottawa, ON, grandchildren Jason (Alicia), Kristina, John, Scarlett, Mitchell, Kelsey, Katherine, Dan (Kim), Dave, Jack and great-grandchildren Sarah and Emma.
If so desired donations in his memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC or other charity of one’s choice.
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