Had my father (pictured here with my mother) not died two months ago, he would have turned 67 today.Here is what was written in his memorial booklet.
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Thomas Edward Stanley Swift
November 26, 1939-September 9, 2006
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The poet Larkin wrote: "What survives of us is love". Tom Swift survives in that he has left each of us - family, friends and colleagues - with a great sense of love: both for him, and radiating from him. Tom's signature character traits were gentleness, a sense of humour, modesty, protectiveness and tremendous empathy, especially for the disadvantaged (both animal and human). The defining element of Tom's life was his family, for whom he would do anything. And, at the heart of his family stands an extraordinary love story - the 41-year marriage that he shared with Mary Margaret Hume, his beautiful soul-mate, who stood by him through health and sickness and gave Tom his greatest gift of all: love like a flame that never once swerved or threatened to go out. This strong and deep union also generated his beloved sons, Jordan and Todd. Let us mourn, but also rejoice for Tom Swift, knowing that his life was truly enriched by love, received and given.
Thomas Edward Stanley Swift was born in Montreal in 1939. He never forgot selling patriotic comics, as a kid, outside the vaudeville theatres of Montreal where magicians like Blackstone performed. Tom came from a close and loving family. His father, Stanley, was a gentle, thoughtful but gregarious man. His beautiful Irish mother Mary was an extremely hospitable and kind woman, who loved to sing, and it is from her he likely derived his musical gifts. His Auntie June was like a second mother to him. Then there was little Granny who also took great pleasure in spoiling the young children of the family. Tom's world was completed by his beloved brothers and sisters, Jack, Beverley, Graham and Brenda (a cousin close as a sister to him). The Swift family was a source of amazing story-telling and impressive verbal and musical talent. In the golden age of television, watching Hockey Night In Canada and The Ed Sullivan Show together was a regular family tradition.
Tom loved the world of popular enterainment. As a teenager, he'd cut classes to see matinees. Early films that inspired him were Shane and Rebel Without A Cause - movies he often returned to. As a teen, he used to wear his red hockey jacket like James Dean - he too felt like an outsider. He liked Bobby Vinton, Gene Pitney and most of all, Johnny Mathis. Tom grew to be a strikingly handsome young man and he began to write songs.One of his favourite anecdotes was the night he met Sammy Davis Jr. in his dressing room at a Montreal night club - the world-famous entertainer had invited him to speak with him at intermission, after Tom was the only audience member to correctly answer a question about Shakespeare. Tom walked in on the startled Sammy "pulling his trousers on"; they then spoke for fifteen minutes or so, and the great star, recognizing Tom's charisma, encouraged him to follow his dreams. Tom developed a promising career as a professional recording artist on the London and Allied labels in the early Sixties, cutting records and writing-performing songs such as "Blue and Lonely" and "There I Go Dreaming Again".
Tom had a beautiful singing voice.Even before graduating with a B.A.from Sir George Williams University, he was hired to work in the admissions office. Tom soon succeeded to the position of "Acting" Director of Admissions. He was still in his mid-twenties, and both the youngest director of Admissions in North America and a rock star, touring Canada, appearing on the charts, and on TV's popular youth show, Like Young. This posed a dillemma for university officials, and he was soon asked to choose if he wanted to have the "Acting" dropped and assume the full title (he already had the full responsibility). This was an impressive cross-roads for Tom to find himself at. Tom often talked about how his older brother Jack, a brilliant law student, made him apply to Sir George Williams. Tom was a good student at this point, particularly outstanding in Economics. Tom now chose the path of education. Tom's dedication to students complemented the Sir George Williams ethos where it mattered most, in admissions. He went on to later also become the Director of Admissions at the new university Concordia.
He worked in that position for 32 years.The most important event in Tom's life was his first meeting with Margaret. She was 17, he was 22, and they were both skating on the ice rink at MacDonald College on the West Island. Tom was instantly "struck by lightning" on seeing this beautiful young woman, and proceeded to chase her around the rink. Tom and Margaret were married in 1965, in the St. Lambert United Church, where we are gathered today. He formed a close and loving relationship with all the Humes.
The glamorous couple honeymooned in Jamaica. It was amid the barracuda-infested coral reefs there that Tom, diving, located one of his favourite stories. Seeking a glittering piece of coral that Margaret wanted, he plunged dangerously deep. Cutting away the piece, a larger section weighed him down. Refusing to let go, he was able to both achieve the prize, and ascend to safety. Margaret still has this treasure today.Stanley Todd, their first son, was born in 1966, three months premature. Tom, a nervous new father, announced to his astonished office that Todd was so small, he "had to be put in an incinerator" (instead of an incubator). From this linguistically-challenged incident came Tom's long-time study of E.B. White, H.W. Fowler and Strunk Jr.- in time, Tom became "a user of precise words".
In 1971, a second son was born, Jordan Fraser Knowlton. Tom was very proud of his sons, and supported them every step of the way, often by coming to their readings, gigs, and parties, blending in and becoming accepted as the friend he was. He told everyone he knew of Todd's champion debating and Jordan's successful career playing in bands like The Kingpins. Tom enjoyed watching his sons grow up, achieve much, and marry remarkable women.The family fondly recalls long summer road trips in their Volkswagen station-wagon from California to Florida. Later, the Swifts would spend whole summers up at Brigden Lake in a log cabin. Tom loved to row Margaret out on the lake to see the beavers and the incredible reflections of the rockcliffs in the water.
Another cherished family memory is day-long cross-country skiing treks with Tom through the woods of the Eastern Townships. Tom's love for animals began at an early age and through his life he was surrounded by a number of dogs and many cats all of whom he loved dearly - particularly Laddie, Rascal, Moushka, Bee, Kaila and Rosie.Tom was a superb all-round athlete. When young, he had tried out for the Dodgers farm team, and had been recruited. His friend Curly wasn't, and Tom, who always placed loyalty above personal achievement, declined the offer. All his life he engaged in team sports - especially softball. Tom won several trophies while playing for the team he assembled, The Bulldogs (which included Graham and famous hockey player Bernie Wolf): top batter for the League in 1979; and MVP in 1981. Tom was also a softball little league coach, and a Beavers and Cubs leader. He loved to take Todd and Jordan to Expos games.Tom was proud to have been an early ambassador of sorts by facilitating educational links with Hong Kong students, working alongside William Yip. After retiring, Tom was asked to become international student recruiter for The John Molson School of Business (C.U.), a position he held for 8 years.
He travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, Asia and other countries on their behalf. Once again China became a major focus for the recruitment of students and the development of agreements with many Chinese Universities. In March, 2005, at the start of yet another flight to China on behalf of the School, Tom collapsed just before take off and was rushed to hospital. He was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Tom faced this terrible disease with stoicism and bravery. Dr. Del Maestro operated masterfully on two occassions. Tragically, Tom was taken from us suddenly while recovering from the second round of treatment at the MNI.
Tom Swift was an unforgettable, lovely man. He was so very kind. He possessed a wildly-inventive sense of humour, based on puns, slapstick and absurd insights. This comedy was used to mask a shy, intensely private and complex personality. Tom gave new meaning to the word Swiftian. We will love him forever.
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