Larry George Swartz

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larry George Swartz of West Kelowna, BC, on February 1, 2025.  (Formerly a long-time Peachland resident.)  He passed away suddenly, but peacefully, with his family at his side.

Larry will be remembered and sadly missed by his partner, Cindy Fortin; his children, Chris (Anna) Lafferty, Travis (Kelly) Lafferty, Jessica (Will) Tomat, and stepchildren, Ayla (Joe) Fortin-Sanders, April (Kris) Fortin-Wood, and Shawn Fortin.  He was greatly loved by his many grandchildren, Maya, Ava, Zoe, Scotty, Leah, Jack, Sora, Taurin and Trinity; cousins, nieces, and many, many friends.

He was predeceased by his adopted mother and father, (then) George and Jessie Swartz of Peachland, BC; his beloved sister, Tracy Ewanowich; and his birth mother, Grace Joe of Williams Lake First Nation.

Born in Williams Lake, Larry was adopted as an infant and grew up in Peachland, with a short time in New Zealand. He attended Peachland School (grades 1 to 7), and George Pringle Secondary School. He went on to obtain his Forestry and Civil Engineering degrees, post-secondary.

The most important thing in life for Larry was his family and friends. He was kind and loving, always welcoming, and the first to lend a hand or a shoulder. In recent years he was excited to learn more about his Indigenous roots, discover family members he didn’t know he had, and build relationships with them. He will be missed by many. Larry loved to ride his motorcycle, and he and his partner enjoyed many road trips, especially to Riders Retreat in Nakusp. Riding provided Larry with a special freedom on the road that he didn’t normally have, due to limited mobility in his later years.

Larry was devastated by the loss of his beloved Husky companion, Nanook, less than a year ago. Now their spirits are running free on a beach somewhere, unencumbered by physical limitations and pain, with Larry tossing a ball to his loyal and loving fur-buddy.

A Celebration of Life will be held, but has not yet been scheduled.