November 2006 - A Memoriam by Tobbi Gjelsvik
Our community lost a true character with the passing of Mike Schwab. Mike left us peacefully in the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital on Oct 9, 2006-Thanksgiving Day. A very appropriate day, as so many of us are thankful for both having and knowing him.
He had just celebrated his 81st birthday two days prior and then made it to Thanksgiving Day, but he was tired of fighting his condition and it showed. It is difficult to see someone fight like he did, when it was unfortunately a losing battle, but to make his birthday and Thanksgiving was no doubt in his plans. You can hear him now, as he watches over us, "I did what I set out to do". Mike had told me that he wanted so badly to make it to his 60th anniversary next summer with his wife Dadye, but it wasn't to be. The 59 years they spent together
is something that they were both proud of, and so they should be.
I jokingly told Mike once, that Dadye should get danger pay for putting up with him for that long. To which his reply was, "it should be the other way around". I remember another good one from the hospital. Mike had just checked in and the nurses were asking him questions for the record. One nurse said, "Do you have any allergies Mike?". Mike thought for awhile and then smiled and pointed to his wife. The nurses even had a chuckle at that. But as sick as he was, his humor was always with him.
The Schwab's are a close-knit family, which in turn kept Mike's condition to themselves. Mike together with son Marty made various trips to doctors in Vancouver to see what could be done, but the prognosis wasn't very optimistic. But through it all he always had that sense of humor. The smile that would emanate from him was addictive...so as he smiled, we all smiled with him. It is hard when you want to help, but there isn't much that you or anyone else can do when confronted with such a condition as Mike's.
Mike came to Prince Rupert from Saskatoon with his family in 1942 and worked at the Dry Dock. He joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (K-6096), at the age of 18, on July 4th, 1944. Mike served overseas in Belguim, Holland, England and Germany. He was discharged on July 3rd, 1946. He then returned to Prince Rupert and met his future wife Dadye. They were married July 26th, 1947 and as Mike said, fought for 59 years. But he was so proud of his family and it always showed.
He had many passions through his life. He lived for his hunting trips up country, which was an annual event. I don't think with his hunting escapades that any conservation concerns were ever raised as Mike usually came home with nary a moose. There were his regular stories about moose as tall as the Highliner that just managed to get away from him each and every time. Or another one had him hitting one with around 10 shots, but they always managed to escape. I once suggested that he talk to Twin City Meats and buy a moose cut and wrapped from their freezer,
as his luck was terrible. With the stories, he should have had a moose for every day he was up there. But that was Mike, as he just enjoyed the outdoors even if he never shot anything. Mike looked forward to his hunting trips and having his son Marty along for company on occasion. It was the comradery and the wilderness that Mike loved and to maybe get a moose was a bonus.
He also had a passion for the work of Nancy and Gunther Golinia at the Wildlife Shelter. He had a keen interest in the animals that came under their care. He also was fully aware of the sacrifices and dedication that this pair provided. In that vein he always tried to help them. He would come up with so many different and innovated ideas to help benefit their work. He had the Golinia's in his heart throughout his years of involvement with the shelter. The Golinia's will miss him dearly.
His life was the Royal Canadian Legion and he joined Prince Rupert's Branch No 27 in 1951. He was a life member; something bestowed on members that serve their branch with loyalty and dedication. That was Mike, as he always gave it his all. I can remember hearing Dadye tell him, that he might as well get a bunk down at the branch with all the time he spent there. But there was also an understanding, as Dadye was heavily involved with the local Ladies Auxiliary. So basically, she had trouble saying that, as they were both there a great deal, considering all
the different events that they took on.
Mike served in all capacities within Branch No. 27, from the President's Chair to executive member and on and on. But I think one of the biggest and most enjoyable events for Mike, was the annual Legion fish derby. His contributions went well beyond the call of duty. The amount of effort he put into this derby was mindboggling. He would spend 4 months in the foyer of Safeway selling those derby tickets. I sometimes would tell him, that it was amazing he wasn't divorced with the time he spent there. But he enjoyed meeting and
talking to the people that entered and always did his best work, selling you that ticket or two to support the branch. Some people tried to get by him to pick up a loaf of bread or whatever and by the time Mike got through with them, that loaf cost them $25 or more. He would meticulously keep track of the tickets that he sold and always try to best his previous years sales. He prided himself in his work for the branch and rightfully so. He was a member that gave so much to his organization of choice, the Legion.
Individuals such as Mike are rare and hard to replace if not impossible. I am not sure where the Legion stands on its annual fish derby into the future with Mike's passing. But Mike did so much to make this event a success each and every year, that the Legion should do its utmost to run this event in his memory. I can understand the burnout of the organizers, as it is a problem to get enough help each year. Now there is a huge void in the passing of Mike. But the Legion needs to pick up the slack and make this work. The members need to become more involved
and show Mike that it can be done. I personally think, Mike's name should be incorporated into this event 'as a tribute', considering everything he did for the derby and for his dedication to our branch as a whole. You can hear Mike, "Come on Comrades, show me you can do this derby on your own". I think the Branch should, as Mike no doubt, deserves it.
I think the picture that shows the true meaning of Mike is the one with him at the Shelter, in the owl cage. That smile, "that man with the hat" with a poor pink salmon being attacked by two octopuses or whatever else they are doing, and lastly a book of Legion fish derby tickets sticking out of his shirt pocket. That is the Mike we will and should remember. One of a kind indeed!
With Remembrance Day now upon us, we should reflect on Mike's life and the contributions he made and also remember those that are no longer with us. Remembering the sacrifices that they all made, so that we have what we have today. It wouldn't have been possible without their contributions. We thank the veterans from within our hearts and also express it with support for "their" Remembrance Day. Someone forwarded me a beautiful Remembrance Tribute via email awhile back. It is entitled
"Pittance of Time", written and performed by Terry Kelly. It is a truly
touching example of the haste and speed that our lives move forward now-a-days and the need to slow down and reflect on the sacrifices that our veterans have given us. I remember playing it for Mike once, and you could see in his eyes, that in his thoughts he was revisiting some previous place in time. Whenever Mike was to be away from Rupert for Nov 11th chasing that elusive moose, he would pack his uniform and attend whatever community was near. He never missed that opportunity to promote the Legion and its great work for their communities. But he was also concerned at
the plight of our Legions and the direction that they were going. He also felt that more help was needed from various levels of government to ensure that Legions survive into the future. But nevertheless, he was passionate with his involvement and to do whatever he could to help the Legion cause.
I find it very hard to express myself with Mike's passing, but I know one thing for sure, is that I will never forget him, with his mischievous smile and the total sincerity in his heart. I learned a lot from him and we are all better because of him. We will miss him....
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
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