Francis Edward Schwab passed away at the age of 63 on Sunday, March 6, 2016, with family at his side, following a long struggle with brain cancer. He was born on November 20, 1952 in Summerland, BC, and graduated from Nechako Valley Secondary in Vanderhoof, BC in 1970. He went on to earn a PhD from the University of British Columbia in 1986, and was the biology instructor at the Labrador College/College of the North Atlantic in Labrador City, NL for more than 20 years. While living in Labrador, he published 14 papers on the interactions between local birds, small mammals, and their habitats.
Francis is greatly missed by his children, Catherine (Devon Tucker), Paul (Chelsea Smith), and David; his grandson, Emmett-James; his sisters and brothers, Trudy (Bill) Moul, Jim (Barbara), David (Barbara), Greg (Yvonne), and Wendy (Murray) Mortson; his many nieces and nephews; other extended family, and his friends.
His funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Parish in Victoria, BC on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. His remains will be interred in the Vanderhoof Municipal Cemetery with his parents, Wendel and Mary (Zünti) Schwab.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation (http://www.cwf-fcf.org/), or to the Music Ministry at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Labrador City, NL (for more information, please call the Parish Office at (709) 944-2289, or Frank Saville at (709) 944-5636 after hours).
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
47 Responses
Dear Schwab Family:
My sincerest sympathy for your loss. I came to know Francis as his Ph.D. supervisor at the University of British Columbia, and was immediately impressed with his commitment to, and passion for wildlife biology and management. In fact, Francis was among the most productive of all my graduate students, and consistently earned the respect of his peers. Francis and I eventually became friends, as we enjoyed the physical rigours of his field work, plus backpacking trips into the Southern Chilcotin Mountains. I will always remember his thorough and reasoned perspectives on life and politics. He will be sorely missed.
Dear Trudy & Family, Jim & Family, Greg & Family, David & Family, Wendy & Family & Francis’ Family:
Charlene has heard from Wendy and passed the news of Francis to us; we would just like you to know you are in our thoughts and hoping your many good memories of Francis will sustain you. Take care of each other
Regards and hugs
Susan Manwaring, Larry Svensen and Family
Dear family of Francis Schwab,
This is Martial Agueh, the past Grand Knight of St Patrick’s Council Knights of Columbus (K of C). I am the person who arranged for the transfers of Francis Schwab to the Knights of Columbus of St Patrick’s Council and to the 4th Degree Assembly (Father Brabant Assembly 0032), after I contacted by her sister when Francis moved to Victoria and was living in a take care home in Fairfield. I have to say that after few months of meeting Francis (when he was very weak and hardly could move at the take care home), I was really amazed by the way he came back strong in health, moved to the villa of St Patrick’s Parish, got very involved in our K of C council and even joined the executive as our Trusty; he got also involved in a choir of St Patrick Parish (I believe the Filipino’s choir). Francis is a very strong fellow that I admired a lot, and I was blessed to have met him, and have been involved in his transfer to our K of C council..
My sincere condolences go to the whole Francis’ family. Always remember that Francis is now in a better place and washed over all of you. May his soul rest in peace.
God’s blessings,
Martial Agueh,
Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus of St Patrick’s Council #7934.
To all the Schwab clan. Our sincerest condolences to you all. “Fritz” was a nice guy from our neighbourhood with all of us growing up together here in good ole Vanderhoof! You’re all in our thoughts & prayers!
Charlene & Tim Wheeler & all the Manwaring family
To the Schwab Family
Dave, Nicole and I were deeply saddened to hear that Francis had passed. We will always be thankful to him for being an outstanding mentor to our son Neal when he was studying biology at CONA. They worked together before and after Neal’s graduation from University. He and Neal both worked on papers that were published. They both had a mutual interest in wildlife, birds and their habitats and we will be making a donation to the Canadian Wildlife Federation in his memory.
He gave a very touching eulogy at Neal’s Memorial Service ending with the phrase “I have lost my best friend”.
Nicole and I visited him in the hospital before he left the area. We were very pleased to meet his two brothers who travelled to Labrador City to accompany Francis to his home province.We extend our deepest sympathy to his entire family. He fought a good fight and is at peace now. He will not be forgotten.
Our deepest sympathies to the Schwab family as you have lost a dear family member in Francis, I met Francis Nov 20th 2015 and have to say I felt an immediate connection and loved how his humour shone through, his obvious intellect and love to share his stories and experience so readily. I am richer having met Francis.
Our sincerest condolences to the Schwab family on the passing of your brother Francis. We are with you in mourning the passing of a brother and a freind. May he rest in eternal peace.
The Dixon Family