Melford Joseph Szwaluk

Melford Szwaluk of Shoal Lake peacefully entered eternal rest, on August 24, 2020 at the Hamiota Health Centre, surrounded by his immediate family, at the age of 93.

Melford was born November 8, 1926, the eldest of 12 children, to John and Rosie (Woychyshyn) Szwaluk and raised on the family farm southwest of Shoal Lake.  He attended Reidville School but quit after Grade 8 to help on the family farm.    In 1949, Melford started farming on his own and purchased the west half of 32-16-24, the land right next to where he grew up.   In 1953 he married Rose Mitch and they were blessed with two children Dan (1960) and Marlene (1961).  Over the span of 93 years, Melford experienced an evolution of farming practices - from working with horses, to steel wheel tractors, to tractors on rubber, to having one of the first round balers in the area.  Mel and Rose worked hard to build a family farm that started with milking cows and feeding cattle, pigs, and chickens.  As the land was cleared and cultivated, the focus turned to growing crops and raising a great herd of beef cattle.  In 1997 Mel and Rose retired and moved to Shoal Lake.  But farmers never really retire, and for many years Melford drove out to the farm to help in so many ways.  Melford was a humble, proud, forgiving man who never judged family situations and he could resolve issues with his sincere quiet manner.  Melford worked hard to ensure that his children received an education, took music lessons and he supported the whole entire family in every way that he possibly could.  Farming was very much his passion, however through the years, he was involved with the church committee, he was an active school board trustee and supplemented family income as a school bus driver.  He loved spending time with his family and good friends but really cherished the years when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along - following them to 4-H outings, sports, dance, music events or wherever they would lead him.  

Melford was predeceased by his parents, John and Rosie, infant brothers Edwin, Frederick, brother Anton (Tony) brother-in-law Eugene Nykoluk and parents-in-law Myron and Stella Mitch.  He is survived by Rose, his loving wife of 67 years, son Dan (Sandra), grandson Desmond (Connie and children Joshua and Holly), and great-grandchildren Samantha and Colten, daughter Marlene (Dean), and grandchildren Ayla (Josh), and Levi.  Also surviving are brothers Lawrence (Marlene), Sam (Sylvia), Nelson (Lesia), Ron, sisters Margaret, Evelyn (Sadley), Josephine, Vivian (Gerry), sister-in-law Phyllis, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service was held on August 28, 2020 with Father Mykaylo Khomitskyy officiating.  Pallbearers were all of the immediate family. Eulogy was read by Dan and Marlene.  If friends so desire, donations in Melford’s memory may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association.