John Neil Mcswiney

John Neil McSwiney’s great adventure came to a close on December 18. Born in Point-a-Pierre Trinidad August 4, 1929, John spent his boyhood days swimming, fishing and sailing before convincing the love of his life Sheila Hope-Ross to join him on a life of adventure that would criss-cross the globe: Venezuela, Calgary, Scotland, Alaska, Libya and Bolivia before settling back in Calgary. He was an Oilman through and through who began building rigs as a teenager before heading off shore to drill for oil on Lake Maracaibo for Esso and then the stormy North Seas for ODECO, on the other love of his life, the Ocean Victory. He came to Canada, drilling for oil in the arctic for Dome and Canmar, before rounding out a storied career in Libya, and in Bolivia for CEDA. Along the way there were all the “new recruits”: Christopher, Steven, Michael, (wife Linda, children Erin, Oliver, Dustin and wife Ashley, Quinn) Cathy-Anne (husband Hal, children Patrick, Thomas and wife Chelsea, Jacqueline), Sean ( wife Sheila, son James), and Donald (wife Alison, children Tristan and Johnny). Like most adventurous souls, he was in all things, and in all ways, larger than life. He loved a good joke, and for that matter a bad joke too. He loved Caribbean food, Calypso music and the sea and sun. He was passionate, principled, courageous and stubborn, and felt and loved deeply. Though he travelled the world, he loved being home with his family most of all. His story was a full, epic tale of love and adventure. He will be missed. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 22 at 2:30 p.m., Corpus Christi Church, 404 Northmount Place NW Calgary. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to pay respects are asked to make a donation to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, http://www.ssvpcalgary.org. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family at www.piersons.ca.