George Sweanor Obituary

Sweanor
GEORGE JOSEPH SWEANOR
November 7, 1919 January 3, 2021
George Sweanor passed away peacefully at home at the age of 101, after a life well lived. The oldest of three, he was born to George and Alice Sweanor in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. George enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during WWII and served in the 419 Squadron in England. He married his wartime sweetheart, Joan Saunders, 3 months prior to being shot down over Germany on his 17th mission. As a POW, George helped in the Great Escape at Stalag Luft III. After the war, George and Joan moved to Canada, where George continued to serve in the RCAF and began the harder work of raising 5 daughters. He was stationed throughout Canada, including the Arctic, and served in the Korean Air Lift. His final posting was at NORAD, Colorado Springs. After retiring in 1967, he taught History at Mitchell High School, retiring a second time in 1983. George wrote the book: "It's All Pensionable Time," and became a founding member of the 971 RCAF Assoc. Wing, serving as its newsletter editor for many years. As "Ye Olde Inquisitive Scribe," (www.yeoldescribe.com), George wrote over 200 blogs, publishing until October 2020. (A full obituary is posted there). George's life-long pastime of stamp collecting led to world-wide friendships, and his interest in history and family led him to research family genealogy. He delighted in thought-provoking conversations about diverse subjects with all. George joins his parents, wife Joan, sister Ruth Filiatrault, brother Trevor, and son-in-law and grandson: George and Braden Bruington. He is survived by his daughters: Barbara Jagoda, Diane Edwards, Valerie Bruington, Patricia and Linda Sweanor, 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and other cherished relatives. Ever the navigator and with his everlasting sense of humor, George happily noted that he had completed 101 circuits around the sun. Donations may be made to New Century Hospice or the Canadian War Museum (www.warmuseum.ca/support/).