Eugene ‘Gene’ Zwick
Feb. 28, 1939 – Sept. 30, 2018
It is with great sadness to announce, that with his daughters by his side, Gene Zwick of Kamloops, passed away at age 79. Dad is survived and will be soulfully missed and remembered by his two daughters, Laurie ‘Rosa’ Zwick and Sharlene Zwick. He is predeceased by his father Wasyl ‘Bill’ Zwick and mother Maria (Nikolajenko/Lopatenko) Zwick.
Gene was born in Kiev, Ukraine as an only child. After WWII, he and his parents, lived in various refugee camps before immigrating to Canada at age 11. Via a brief stay in Toronto, they went to Vancouver to live. Here, on the coast, is where Gene met his dearest and oldest friend, Ken Haraldsen. Later, Dad and his family settled in Kitimat, BC when he was a teen. But it was a beautiful sunset in Kamloops, that made Gene, as a young adult, fall in love with the area and is where he decided to start his career and live. For over 30 years Dad taught high school (mathematics, mechanics and science) the majority at John Peterson and shortly before he retired, at Kam High. Dad, known by many as Mr. Zwick, was always so proud of his students and will also be remembered for his chalk throwing abilities.
All his life Dad loved the outdoors and his hobbies. He had an ingenious ability to create, build, design and fix almost anything. You would see him skiing, fishing, gardening, flying and many other activities, that he loved to pursue with family and friends or just by himself. Dad’s first love though was skiing, which he took every opportunity to do. Sharing in Dad’s love, was his dearest and nearest friend, Ian Mackenzie and Dad would always talk about his skiing buddy with such warmth. Dad then took on growing tomatoes…hundreds of them. Plants not just for himself but mostly to sell in the local community, which endeared him the name “The Tomato Guy”. Dad also had over 15 years with driving bus (Thompson Valley Charters) where he loved interacting with tourists and his co-workers. At age 60 Dad earned his pilots license. He loved restoring his ultralight aircrafts and would start his tales of getting them to fly with….” Don’t worry, I wasn’t hurt…”.
But of all the things that he did, the most wonderful was being our dad. He had the kindest, most caring and generous heart and never stopped giving of his love and time. Daddy, you have the most beautiful soul, you are so very loved and you will be so dearly and so deeply missed. You are forever loved.
We would like to sincerely thank the RIH ICU staff for their kindness, tenderness and compassion. To Ian Mackenzie, we are eternally grateful that Dad was able to have you by his side (in life) and at the end, and for sharing your stories of him with us. To his wonderful neighbors, bless your hearts, for always ensuring that our dad was always safe.
A Celebration of Life will follow in the spring of 2019 and an announcement will be made in the newspaper. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to donate in Gene’s memory, a donation can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Condolences may be sent via DrakeCremation.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Eugene ‘Gene’ Zwick 1939 – 2018
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Eugene ‘Gene’ Zwick 1939 – 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique
