SWAN, Ken

Dad passed away a few days after Christmas in his bed at home with his beautiful wife of 57 years Alex (mum) by his side holding his hand. Mum cared for dad like no-one else could keeping him comfortable right until it was time to say goodbye.

Dad will be forever loved, remembered, and respected by his sons, Mike and Dave, their wives Tyler and Katie, and grandkids Noah, Paris, Kai, Mikaela, Phoebe and Sam.

Dad had a wonderful life and fitted a lot into his 81 years. A former Queensland and Australian surf lifesaving surfboard champion, he was also a promising Australian Rules talent before a horrific leg break ended his career. He later captain-coached the Queensland Men’s Water Polo team and was the only Queenslander chosen in the Australian water polo squad to contest the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica in 1966. Dad then turned his hand to golf and sailing, competing in several Brisbane to Gladstone yacht races. Unbelievably, he was still rowing surf boats right up into his 70s competing in the Australian Masters Surf Lifesaving titles.

Somehow amongst all of this he managed to be the most loving and supportive dad and husband. It is hard to fathom how many sports matches he either coached or attended guiding his sons and grandkids in their endeavours.

We love you dad and will miss you more than you could ever imagine.