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ARNI RAGNAR (BOB) SWANSON
Born: Apr 09, 1921
Date of Passing: Sep 04, 2004
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryARNI RAGNAR (BOB) SWANSON Peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, September 4, 2004 at Sheridan Villa Nursing Home at the age of 83. Married for 49 years, Arni was the beloved husband of Marjorie (nee Duncan) loving father of Carol Dressler (Brian), Linda Meyer (Dale) and David Swanson (Sarah). He will be fondly remembered by his nine grandchildren and by his sister Olivia Olson (Holman) nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his son Alan and sister Sylvia. Born in Winnipeg, MB on April 9, 1921 and raised in St. Boniface, Arni was the son of the late Ragnar and Karolina Swanson. He was a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce, 1942. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps from 1942 to 1946, retiring as Captain. An early interest in golf stayed with him all his life and provided him with many opportunities for friendship, travel and employment. He was an honourary director of the CPGA and a member of 11 golf clubs throughout his lifetime. His business career began at Great West Life, Winnipeg. In 1954 he and Marjorie moved to Montreal where he was Vice-President of Burns Bros. and Denton (later Burns Fry) later moving back to Winnipeg as Director of its western branches. Marjorie and Arni lived in St. James where they raised their children and enjoyed many years amongst extended family and friends. In 1968 to 1969 he was President of McKenzie Seed and from 1967 to 1973 he was a Partner with Baxter Group of Companies in Vancouver. He also served as a financial consultant to many others including four provinces. He was President and Managing Director of Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville from 1976 to 1982. He was a wonderful storyteller who loved life. He took great pleasure in establishing connections among people. A man of great integrity and independence, proud of his Icelandic heritage, a reader of history and an active leader in many different fields, Arni was always compassionate, kind and caring. He will be greatly missed. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Stephens on the Hill United Church, 998 Indian Rd. Mississauga on Saturday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place. If desired, remembrances to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 07, 2004
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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As a very young and Jr employee at Glen Abby Golf Club I had day to day interactions with Mr Swanson. I recall him speaking to me one day when I must have seemed irritated as Scotia Bank had refused to give me a car loan. I'd been in Canada just a few months and my job at the golf club was my first employment in Canada after arriving from the UK at the age of 19. Mr Swanson talked to me about a loan and told me to go to the CIBC bank in Oakville. This I did and was able to get the loan to buy a car. Some 40 years later I had occasion to obtain a copy of my credit report and the loan from CIBC was detailed on the report which also recorded that it had been seconded by Arni Swanson. This I had never known in all the years that had passed. So a belated and much over due thank you. Andrew Parker Nova Scotia. - Posted by: Andrew Parker (Former Employee ) on: Oct 24, 2017