RICHARD WILLIAM SCHWEEN

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RICHARD WILLIAM SCHWEEN With broken hearts and immeasurable pain, we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Rick, our precious son, father and husband. Left to cherish his memory are his parents Ed and Thelma Schween, his wife of 32 years, Giselle, much loved children Matthew (Shannon) and Chelsea (Brodie)...and Tucker, his big old black lab. Rick also leaves behind many people in his life, whom he touched with his wit, humour and love - aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and friends. Rick was predeceased by both sets of grandparents and his mother and father-in-law. Rick was born on December 21, 1954 in Winnipeg and spent his childhood and teen years in Weston - he was proud to be a 'Weston boy'. He played football, broomball, swam and coached hockey - he loved his Monday night football (and Sunday, Thursday, Friday)....he loved to fish being the happiest out on the lake in the early morning mist, and snowmobiling in the winter months. He worked as a sheet metal fabricator and mechanic throughout his working years and everyone who knew Rick knew him to be a friend who could fix anything - If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy . He married Giselle on August 12, 1978 and in 1981 they moved to St. Adolphe where they raised their children Matt (born on his birthday, December 21, 1981) and Chelsea, born on August 27, 1984. He loved them all and was especially proud of his kids, beaming whenever anyone asked about them. Rick and Giselle built their home in 1987 and a cottage on the family property at Long Pine Lake, (Ingolf, Ontario), in 1984. Rick was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991. He dealt with his disability with dignity and fierce determination - nothing could hold him down. He had DBS surgery in 2005 which bought him five good years, living every minute as a man on a mission! In 2002 Rick resigned from working and in 2006 Giselle and Rick made a decision to sell the family home and move to the lake where he grew up and where he was the happiest. Rick loved to be surrounded by family and friends - never one to miss a gathering of any kind. He will be missed terribly by all who knew him and was an inspiration to many. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg. We are asking friends and family to share a story that day, knowing that there will be more laughter than tears as Rick would have liked it. In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to The Parkinson Society of Manitoba, 302-171 Donald Street, Winnipeg, R3C 1M4. I wonder what the rich people are doing... because us poor people are having the time of our lives. Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, Kenora, Ontario.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 08, 2010