Jul 30, 1959 - Nov 4, 2017
Andrew Brodie Swan
Andrew Brodie Swan, P. Eng. Passed away on November 4, 2017 after a prolonged, hard-fought battle with cancer.
Andrew is survived by his children Caitlin, Allison and Alex, his partner Helen, his ex-wife and mother of their children, Heather Kennedy (m. 1989-2011), his mother Shirley, his siblings Jennifer (Eric), Frances (Dave), Ian (Valerie) and Robert, and by his nieces and nephews. Andrew was predeceased by his father Brodie in 2011.
Andrew was born in London, England where Shirley had returned to be with family for the birth of her first child. New Mom and baby arrived home in Canada when he was 10 weeks old. The family lived in Vancouver until Andrew was three years old. They relocated to Williams Lake, and later to the East Kootenays (Invermere) where Andrew graduated from high school. After high school, he studied and travelled.
Andrew graduated with a civil engineering degree (structural major) from the University of British Columbia in 1988. He began his structural engineering career in Victoria and Vancouver, working with large consulting engineering firms until 1995. Andrew returned to his roots in the Kootenays in 1995, working as the Regional Bridge Engineer with the Ministry of Forests in Nelson. After several years with the Ministry, the consultant life was calling, and Andrew became a self-employed engineering consultant in Nelson. In 2009, he joined two other partners as a Principal of SNT Engineering Ltd. Andrew excelled as a consultant, providing the majority of his work to government and large corporate clients. His passion was bridges. He became the technical go to person in the Kootenays, where many sought to benefit from his very specialized experience, and he was highly regarded for his talent at finding practical solutions to difficult problems. Andrew always loved a challenge.
Andrew and Heather raised their family on a small acreage just outside of Nelson (Blewett). Andrew loved family life on the farm with his three children and a variety of four-legged friends. There were always many home improvement projects on the go - initially at the house in Richmond, then in Blewett, and more recently at the former Presbyterian Church in Nelson. He could do everything, and would happily take on any renovation or repair.
Other favorite activities were sailing, fishing and cutting firewood. Also fun for him was hopping on his motorbike to do errands around town. Never one to be idle, Andrew and Helen shared many happy adventures exploring beautiful places in BC.
Andrew had much love and support from family and community. This unending care and devotion allowed him to be at home until the last hours of his life.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and medical staff who provided Andrew with the best care possible, particularly Drs. Milde and Malpass.
We would also like to thank all the wonderful friends and family in Vancouver who opened their homes to Andrew, and did everything possible to make him comfortable during his extended stay in Vancouver whilst he was at VGH for treatment.
There will be a reception for Andrew at 602 Kootenay St. (the old Presbyterian church), Nelson on Saturday, November 11, 2017 starting at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to S.P.C.A. Nelson, or the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca