Malcolm David Swann

Malcolm Swann, age 65, passed away in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 9, 2026, and was found the following day. Malcolm was born in Calgary, Alberta, second child and only son of J. Peter Swann (originally from Ashford, Kent, England) and Wendy C. Egbert-Swann (born in Red Deer, Alberta and raised in Calgary). The family moved to Edmonton in 1963 and settled just off Whyte Avenue. Malcolm was curious, creative, and adventurous. There were more than a few trips to the doctor’s office (or hospital) to verify that no permanent damage had been done in his latest escapade. Malcolm loved to climb things – and then jump off, giving more than a few mothers at the playground heart palpitations as he leapt from the top of the tallest slides. He took great delight in climbing door frames and surprising passing family members with a cheery greeting. One evening, he had climbed to the top of a door frame - when his mother thought he was colouring at the kitchen table after dinner - before coming down with a mighty crash. It was his repeated query of “when are we having dinner?” that caused more significant concerns about just how hard he hit his head when he fell. Malcolm showed an early aptitude for languages, attending a special French Immersion kindergarten. Throughout his life, he was fascinated with languages and added to French with conversational Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech, and was actively engaged in adding Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese – and probably more! He started piano lessons at about 6 years old and then took up guitar a short time later. Every Saturday morning, he’d happily go to his lessons with a guitar that looked almost as big as he was. That joy in music never died - Malcolm was always curious and wanted to learn how to play every instrument he ever encountered. He loved The Beatles – obsessively! CHED had a contest one year – prize was The Beatles catalogue to date – and it became a family project to write out hundreds of entry forms (honestly – he should have won for sheer effort!). Sadly – he did not win. Classical music was usually on the stereo in the Swann household, and his parents ensured regular attendance of Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performances. Malcolm was an entrepreneur – he got the largest paper route he could, and faithfully and diligently delivered papers for years. He also looked for opportunity. By this time, the family had moved to Laurier Heights, not far from the Valley Zoo. Every summer, the vast parking lot would be a sea of American caravans and trailers, and Malcolm got permission to sell papers there as well. His father, Peter, would often drive Malcolm to the site with a car full of newspapers, and business was brisk. It helped that Peter bore a passing resemblance to Billy Graham, as word spread through the trailer community and people would come to verify – and then buy a paper! By the time Malcolm was twelve, he purchased a silver brick with his earnings – the first of many he intended to collect. Peter and Malcolm also became involved with the Edmonton Rowing Club as it was starting out – they spent many hours down by the river. Malcolm was an excellent cox! Malcolm was an exceptional, engaged student who regularly achieved top results in his studies. He played hockey and soccer through the community league programs and practiced diligently to perfect his skills. In 1975, Malcolm left Edmonton to attend Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island. His graduation profile reads as follows: Malcolm is a four-year veteran of Shawnigan. Throughout his career, he has displayed great ability and keen interest in almost all aspects of school life. Cross-Country was his athletic forte, and he won the junior race in Grade 10 and placed second in Grade 11. His incredible stamina extended to include Track and Field, Cross Country, and Cycling teams. He also played Rugby (Second XV) and Soccer (First XI) and participated on the Great Britain Tour Soccer XI in his final year. Malcolm gave of himself in everything he undertook and never was there a better example than in his passion for music. He was one of the keenest members of the Jazz Orchestra in which he played guitar. As guitarist and feature soloist, Malcolm Swann has been an invaluable asset to the jazz program at Shawnigan. It is rare indeed to find a high school musician of his calibre and with his rare sensitivity to the idiom. His outstanding performances have drawn praise from professional circles and have gained distinction for the School. He was also a driving force behind the recently formed Jazz Quartet. His ability to put his mind to anything showed through in his academics for which he was awarded School Colours in Grade 11 and Grade 12. In his final year, he was Head of Lake’s, a position which he held with great integrity; Cross Country Games Captain; awarded School Colours for Track and Field; Year Award for Grade 12 French, and a Band Special Award. We wish him the best of luck where’ere he goes. Malcolm went to Victoria in June this year with the goal of visiting Shawnigan so that he could stand at the back of the chapel and sing hymns. He was proud of his time there and had very good memories of some of the accomplishments, travel, and opportunities that Shawnigan offered. Back in Edmonton after graduation in 1979, Malcolm started to form the connections and friendships that would lead to his participation with local bands Office, Voice, and loveslaughter. His impact on music in Edmonton is well documented (see links below) https://ca.billboard.com/fyi/obituaries-malcolm-swann-jennifer-finch-l7 https://citizenfreak.com/artists/100566-office https://www.citizenfreak.com/artists/110608-voice https://www.youtube.com/@jeffreysawatzky Music was like breathing for Malcolm, so much a part of his life from his early adoration of the Beatles to his more recent thoughts of playing some John Prine songs. He was always experimenting, investing in new equipment, thinking of projects and compositions, and hoping to spend more time with fellow musicians creating new sounds and rediscovering old ones. Post Shawnigan, Malcolm kept up with his passion for running, jogging through downtown and the river valley or running home from work. He also availed himself of opportunities to participate in organized races, especially the ones that involved running in costumes – and he was creative and committed when it came to costumes. In addition to musical endeavours, Malcolm also participated in several dramatic performances in Edmonton – sometimes in theatres, many more in open air locations in Edmonton. He loved exploring all mediums for creative expression. Additionally, Malcolm was something of a fixture in Edmonton restaurants – from his first gig at Lucifers as the underage DJ sound and light booth technician, and stage manager for Second City Review to a twenty-year career as a waiter extraordinaire, primarily at Bistro Praha, but with periodic absences when he worked at Café Select, Packrat Louie, Sorrentino’s or travelled to the coast or to Europe, always finding work in the restaurant industry. He then used his industry knowledge to fulfill his passion for the culinary arts, working in the kitchens of several local restaurants. The hours and food allergies finally started taking a toll, so he changed employment again, but he never lost his flair, creativity, and love of crafting delicious food. Malcolm began working at Long & McQuade as shipper/receiver and rental/sales departments. He took great satisfaction in assisting customers to find the right instruments and ensuring that they were happy with their purchases. He was thrilled to share his extensive knowledge and love of all instruments and genres. Malcolm retired from Long & McQuade in 2024. Malcolm was thrilled to become a member of IATSE Local 210 – only stepping back after suffering a severely broken ankle in 2023. He loved the challenges and diversity of events, the teamwork, the people he met, and participating behind the scenes of major events. COVID hit Malcolm particularly hard – he was working at Long & McQuade, so still engaging with people, but socially, everyone’s lives were turned upside down, usual social activities cancelled or changed, and human contact and engagement completely disrupted. Malcolm really missed being able to participate with his people in the business of living. Television was a diversion – entertainment, education, and escape in a box. From the early black and white days of Saturday morning cartoons (especially the animated Beatles!) to Friday evenings with Monty Python's Flying Circus (which had Malcolm rolling on the floor in hysterical laughter while his very English father harrumphed “I fail to see what is so amusing!”). An episode of The Twilight Zone had Malcolm and his sisters watching from BEHIND the sofa, but that didn’t stop them from tuning in the next week. M*A*S*H pre-empted any other plans and was even better when the Swann household finally got a colour television (probably the last family in the neighbourhood to do so). Malcolm enjoyed clever programs, well written scripts, intriguing plots, international productions, documentaries on all subjects, and many fine British television series. Most recently, he was completely absorbed by his beloved Escape to the Country! Television also made it possible to have rink side / courtside / pitch side views of local, national, and international sporting events - Malcolm loved watching the Oilers… or any other hockey teams for the duration of the season (Remember! Don’t call Malcolm on game nights!) but would happily become immersed in whatever sports were being broadcast throughout the year. When the weather was fine and his health allowed, Malcolm loved to hop on his bike and explore Edmonton neighbourhoods, always delighted to discover new routes, parks, and people enjoying life. Malcolm was very intentional and thoughtful with gifts – he took a great deal of time and care in gifting presents that he felt would bring delight to the recipient. He didn’t always get it exactly right, but it was never through lack of consideration or effort. Malcolm loved finding overlooked, unique or useful treasures, for himself and others. A life-long patron of the arts, there really wasn’t a creative medium that Malcolm did not find enjoyment in - theatre, visual art, opera, film, and all styles and genres of music. He appreciated the diversity and talent that Edmonton offers in abundance. He loved attending performances at the Citadel Theatre, Winspear Centre, small independent theatres, community theatres, music festivals, and concerts. The last few years of his life were not easy – he was struggling with several serious health concerns, and while he did try to address them and seek medical assistance, the process became more challenging with endless delays as the health care system in Alberta went further into decline. Despite his setbacks, Malcolm was looking forward to finding a new place to live and start work on new projects. He was hoping to travel more and was making longer term plans for a trip to Europe, starting in Prague before travelling on to Germany and England. He even contemplated a move to Duncan, BC – he loved Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, his health issues were finally too much, and his body couldn’t cope anymore. And so, he quietly slipped away. Malcolm was predeceased by his parents, Wendy (1994) and Peter (2014); and his niece, Carmen Shewchuk (2021). Malcolm is survived by sister Susan Swann; sister Diana Venner and spouse Ray Strashok; niece Fiona Swann (Freya, Brynley); niece Kelly Boyd (Ashtyn); Carmen’s children, Rylee and Keegan; and cousins of the Egbert and Herbert families. Malcolm was a Renaissance man - sensitive, enthusiastic, complicated, unique, refined, eclectic, unpredictable, elegant, loyal, talented, kind, bold, generous, thoughtful, courtly, gifted, dashing, insightful, polite, fearless, cool, authentic, mercurial, creative, colourful, original, vibrant, gracious, deep, artistic, cherished, dashing, inspired (and inspiring), complex, witty, brilliant, urbane, unforgettable, debonair, curious, intriguing, gentle, spontaneous, charismatic… and loved. We hope Malcolm had some understanding about how much he meant to people, and the incredible impact he had on the lives of others. How deeply he will be missed. Malcolm has been cremated – there will be no formal service. If you wish to make a donation to honour Malcolm’s memory, please consider a donation to: The Alexandra M. Munn Scholarship (Edmonton Community Foundation) https://ecf.ca/funds/alexandra-m-munn-scholarship-fund/ Please indicate that your donation is in Memory of Malcolm Swann PHOTOS – please share your favourite photos of Malcolm to https://photos.app.goo.gl/mSttHqgyj1hyrTbe7

Malcolm David Swann

April 16, 1961 - July 9, 2026