Neil Alexander Swainson passed peacefully into his maker’s care on Saturday February 21st, 2009, in his 90th year. Neil was born and raised in Victoria, B.C. and began his teaching career in Creston, B.C. He returned to Victoria where he taught at Victoria High School before moving to the Provincial Normal School and eventually the University of Victoria. Neil graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.A., B.Ed., and M.A. in history and was awarded a Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University. Neil became the first political science professor at the University of Victoria where he continued to impact generations of Victorians. Neil authored several books including Conflict over the Columbia and along with colleagues, The Reins of Power. Neil was an advisor to both provincial and federal governments and spent over ten years as a municipal councillor in Oak Bay, his home for over 50 years. Neil was a lifelong member of First United Church, now First Metropolitan United Church. He was an active member of the community, a walker, a rugby fan, a teacher and a lifelong student. He will be greatly missed. Neil is survived by his loving wife Aldyth, his sons John (Linda, children: Alexa, Ian and Erica), Neil (wife Anna, son Luca), Andrew (Laura, children: Harris and Rachel), and Donald (Tracy, children: Alexander and Katherine). The family wishes to thank Dr. David Brook and the staff of James Bay Care Center, 2nd floor, for the excellent care they provided to Neil in his final years. A memorial service will be held at First Metropolitan United Church this Friday, the 27th of February at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society, www.alzheimer.ca or telephone: 1-800-667-3742 or to First Metropolitan. Neil will be remembered as a gentle, principled, and courteous husband, father and friend.
27 Responses
Dear John,
Our family would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family members. We didn’t know your dad, but based upon our great experiences with you, we can only conclude that he must have been a wonderful person, with a lot of integrity, wisdom and heart. We see all those great qualities in you, and as they say “like father like son”.
To Aldyth and family:
We send our heartfelt condolences at the loss of Neil. He was a fine man, gentle, kind and wise. He was the first colleague Rennie met from outside his own department, and Rennie held him in great respect.
We will miss him at First/Met.
You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Many blessings,
Rennie and Ruth Warburton
I have fond, respectful memories of Neil during my years as a Vic High student and later, when we encountered each other from time to time.
My sympathy,
Hugh Curtis
Aldyth and Family:
My thoughts are with you and your Family.
Frances
Anne and I were very sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. We remember fondly his cheery greetings as we stopped many times to chat on our walks on the Esplanade. We want you to know that our thoughts are with you at this time Sincerely, Anne and Frank
Dear Aldyth:
We shall never forget the kind friendship of you and Neil to us.
Neil was an outstanding example of a gentleman, scholar, teacher, and friend. We have thought of you both with tender remembrances over the years. You are in our thoughts and prayers.—Howard and Colleen Biddulph
Dear Members of Dr. Swainson’s Family
It was with great sadness that I read of Neil’s recent passing; please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of one who, to me, also was a greatly esteemed and admired gentleman, teacher, scholar, mentor, professional colleague and friend. I very much regret that recent surgery prevents my attending his memorial service, but my thoughts and prayers nonetheless will be with you.
Soon after I took a position with the B.C Ministry of Education In 1964, I was privileged to be one of Neil’s first “weekend” graduate students at Uvic as I pursued my MA in Administration. There I greatly enjoyed and profitted from his fine wit, wonderful knowledge, masterful teaching and inspiring intellectual challenges in political science studies, as well as thoroughly appreciated his continuing interest in all aspects of BC public education and my professional career therein. Shortly afterwards, again as a student in residence I benefitted greatly by having Neil as the most valued member of my thesis Supervision Committee; his unfailing encouragement, inspiration, insights and support were critical to my completing necessary research and writing. Looking back over the almost fifty years since I met him, I can say without any hesitation that Neil was one of a very few whose outstanding personal qualities and modelling of professional excellence truly were formative in my life. I’ll miss him so much, too! Sincerely, E.A. (Ted) Killough