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John Edwin (Ted) Swales


March 13, 1924 ~ September 24, 2013


The cornerstone of our family passed away early Tuesday morning after a short battle with cancer.


Ted was born in Kaleden, B.C. to one of the area’s pioneer families. He had an adventuresome childhood growing up in Kaleden among his many aunts, uncles and cousins in the King and Robertson families. His parents, his extended family in Kaleden and growing up in the 30’s were life-time influences on him.


He graduated from Pen Hi in 1942 and went on to graduate from the Ontario Agricultural College (now the University of Guelph) in 1947 with a Degree in Agriculture. It was in Guelph that Ted met Catherine (Cay) Ross and was married to her in the fall of 1947. Ted spent the next 33 years working for the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture in Nelson, Creston and Penticton, retiring from government service in 1979 as the Provincial Apple Specialist. The next ten years were spent as a horticultural consultant for the Okanagan Similkameen Cooperative in Oliver. Although it was disappointing to fruit growers in the area, Ted retired for good early in 1989. Ted and Cay enjoyed the next twenty years of retirement travelling and visiting with family and friends until Cay's death in 2008.


In early 2010, Kathy Buchowsky entered Ted's life and they were married in the summer of 2010. When asked about the short courtship Kathy responded "at our age there is no time for courting". Dad and Kathy enjoyed three great years together. Kathy has been an endless source of love, joy and support for Dad, particularly in the past year.


Ted leaves behind a multitude of friends, three generations of family and his wife Kathy. Proud to call him Dad are Murray (Linda) Swales, Marilyn (Rick) Hanson and Stan (Karen) Swales. He was Grandpa (or Grapes) to Carey Swales, Erin (Chris) Paul, Michael (Meaghan) Swales, Chris (Amanda) Swales, Colin Swales, Kevin Swales, Matt Hanson, Ryan Hanson and Krista (Jason) Colford. Dad was also a loving great-grandfather to Sebastian, Meryckx, Alaula, Jade, Caedyn, Taegen and Johnathan. In addition, his regular telephone calls will be missed by the multitude of nieces and nephews from across the country and friends around the world.


A Memorial Service to celebrate Ted’s life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 1:30pm at the Penticton United Church, 696 Main Street, Penticton, BC. A reception will be held immediately afterward in the church hall.


In memory of Ted, a donation to a worthy cause of your choice would be appreciated; or in recognition of his and his family’s significant contribution to the history of Kaleden, you could consider a donation for the development of a Kaleden Museum (make cheques payable to Kaleden Community Association (Museum), PO Box 9, Kaleden, BC V0H 1K0), or to Penticton & District Hospice Society, C/O Moog & Friends Hospice House, PO Box 1105, Penticton, BC, V2A 6J9.


Condolences may be shared by visiting: www.everdenrust.com