April 8, 1937 – November 15, 2020
After a very short battle with cancer Jim passed away at the age of 83. Jim will be greatly missed by his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 60 years Audrey, loving daughter Sue, son-in-law Kris, grandchildren Olivia and Sam. As well as family members and close friends.
Jim or Jimmy as he was known by many as a young boy, was born and raised in Winnipeg. He grew up along side his father at the Polo Park Race Track and Assiniboia Downs caring for their racehorses. He accompanied his father to races across Canada and to Lexington/Louisville, Kentucky to buy horses. During these times he would ride in the boxcar with the horses. He was so often covered in hayseeds that his friends fondly nicknamed him Seeds because of it.
Jim graduated from Kelvin High School then attended the University of North Dakota and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Masters in Administration. Jim was President of the Manitoba Parks & Recreation Assoc., Canadian Parks & Recreation Assoc. and Public Leisure Council of Canada. He was instrumental in the Panda visit in 1989 and traveled to China to bring them to Winnipeg. Jim served on the 1999 Pan Am Games Bid Committee and attended the games in Indianapolis where he met Mohammed Ali, a person he had always admired. Jim retired in 1992 as General Manager of Parks and Recreation for the City of Winnipeg. He dedicated his many years of service to the betterment of parks and recreation for the city’s residents.
In retirement Jim and Audrey continued to spend the summers at their cottage on Favel Lake north of Kenora. The families cottage was a special place to Jim, he loved to putter around fixing things and spending time fishing, water skiing and watching the loons on the lake. Jim was a sports lover right to the end watching his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers last game against the Cowboys winning “by the skin of their teeth”. Like most kids in Canada he grew up playing and watching hockey. He was a huge Winnipeg Jets fan from the start and was a season ticket holder for many years. But golf was Jim’s passion, buying his very first set of clubs when he was just 9 years old. Jim became a very accomplished golfer and was overjoyed at getting not one but two hole in ones in his life time.
Jim has been described as one of the good guys, compassionate, dignified and witty. He will not be forgotten, will always be loved and forever missed.
In his last days Riverview Health Centre cared for him. We wish to thank the wonderful Doctors, Nurses and Health Aides.
4 thoughts on “William James Swail”
Audrey and Family,
Rob and Barb (Povah)Tisdale
Rob and I would like to offer our sincere condolences on the passing of Jim.
It has been awhile since we have had a family gathering so it has been a long time since we have seen you.
Audrey, as the oldest member of the next generation of “cousins”, I do have many memories of spending time visiting with you and Jim. Rob remembers many conversations with Jim about Parks and other interests they shared. Rob and he met in Jim”s office to discuss land transfer when they were both involved with the development of Maple Grove Rugby Park.
Our thoughts are with you.
Barb
Audrey, we were saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim and I played many golf games together when we were members at Wildewood Golf Course. Jim and I went to the Phoenix Open together in 1976, the year of the American Centennial. In honour of the centennial, we bought patriotic golf pants in a wild pattern of American flags and red, white and blue patterns, that were the butt of more than a few jokes. I don’t know if you remember those pants but I still have mine (with a 32” waist).
I’m sure you have many wonderful memories to look back on during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.
Sincerely, Gary and Irene Hamel
My deepest condolences to you Audrey and your family on the passing of Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim was the best gym teacher I ever had. His enthusiasm and all the different activities that he introduced my Grade 9 class to at Issac Brock was incredible! His example inspired me to go on and become a physical education teacher too. I will always treasure getting together with him at Tim’s for coffee in 2013 after meeting the both of you at the Isaac Brock 100th Anniversary. The stories he shared with me about, going to school, teaching at Issac Brock, growing up on Strathcona St. (the same street I grew up on [617] and tobogganing down the ice chute under Portage Avenue at Swail Ice and Coal will never be forgotten. Jim will be missed. It was a pleasure to have known him. May God comfort you and give peace. Sincerely Ed Hume
Dear Audrey, my condolences to you and your family at this sad time. My late husband John worked with Jim for several years and although we have been out of touch in recent years I remember with pleasure our enjoyable visits and conversations with you and Jim. John and Jim shared many interests and went through some exciting times at Parks and Rec,the panda visit for one. My sympathy for your grief.
Carole Hreno