Robin William Bell Swallow died peacefully on March 30, 2022, at the age of 81.
He was born in 1940 in Eastriggs, Scotland, to John and Peggy (Bell) Swallow. At age 15, Robin joined the Royal Air Force and served in England and Germany. He immigrated to Montreal in 1966 to work with Canadian Marconi Company as a quality control engineer and later became a business manager for its union. Robin studied at McGill and went on to build a successful career in aerospace. A job with Telesat Canada brought him and his young family to Ottawa in 1987, and sent him around the world to work on satellite launches. In retirement he was a minor hockey convenor in Gloucester, sailed thousands of miles to remote parts of Polynesia, became a proficient tax preparer, walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela twice, and made frequent trips to Chile, Scotland, and Washington DC to visit his family.
Robin loved whistling with the birds, gazing at the stars, making people laugh, and his family. He enjoyed music, traveling, politics, and engaging in interesting conversations. Robin will be lovingly remembered by his wife Claudette Carrière, son Yan and his wife Karla, grandchildren Amelia and Tristan, siblings Betty and Nigel (Sylvia), sister-in-law Pierrette (Eddy), nieces and nephews, Janet (Nick), Alexis (David), Ewan (Krystle), Lewis, Myriam and Caroline (Pete), and some very good friends.
A celebration of Robin's life will take place Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 1:00pm at Beechwood National Memorial Centre. This is a celebration, so please wear any color you like! In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors without Borders/Médecins sans Frontières.
Livre de visiteurs
Susan Copeland & Denis Lord
Roger et Lise Villeneuve
Chers Claudette et Yan,
Le décès d’un être cher meurtrit le coeur et nous laisse désemparer devant une réalité tellement déchirante. La maladie et le temps sont des voleurs égoïstes. Sachez retrouver dans vos souvenirs, tous les bons moments vécus avec Robin.
Wishing you peace, comfort, courage and love with Yan and family at your side.
Our deepest condolences,
Roger et Lise Villeneuve
Paul and Veena Smith
Dear Claudette, Yan and family,
Our thoughts are with you all, as you celebrate our dear Robin's life. Unfortunately, we are not able to join you due to medical reasons. We only have words of gratitude to have known and enjoyed the company of a great, noble, kind- hearted and jovial person in Robin. He has been a good friend and mentor for Vasu, who looks up to him a great deal. We will miss his presence, but will hold in memory the many happy times and trips...to Sivananda, the Wild Oat and many get - togethers. You will always be amidst us, Robin.
Pierre Carriere
Je vous souhaite mes sincère condoléances à toi Claudette et à ta soeur Pierrette ainsi qu'à toute famille élargie. Si tu passes à Montréal fais-moi signe.
Pierre
Felipe and Daniela
Chere Claudette,
Robin et vous sont un des plus beaux exemples d’amour qu’on n’a jamais vu. Votre complicité unique et tendresse sont toujours un exemple pour nous. Il n’y a pas de paroles pour ce que tu as perdu, mais non plus pour ce qui reste ici. Votre famille est preuve vivante de ton histoire avec Robin. On sait qu’on fêtera beaucoup plus de beaux noëls ensembles.
Queridos Yan y Karla,
Su familia es familia para nosotros. Los queremos mucho y estamos agradecidos de tenerlos tan cerca. Son tiempos difíciles, claramente, pero Yan tiene razón, lo más bello es celebrar la vida de Robin. Un vida bella y plena que nos deja ejemplos de amor y sabiduría. aquí estamos para ustedes y sobre todo para Amelia y Tristán. Los queremos mucho.
Dear Robin,
We are grateful for all the time and stories we spend together. We shared three beautiful family Christmas in DC, wonderful evenings at Yan and Karla’s place and in our house. We learned from your experience, but even more from your gentle character with everyone. You will not be just missed, but dearly remembered.
Daniela, Felipe, Damian & Rafael
Emita y Checho
Queridos lamentamos mucho lo sucedido, nuestro más sentido de pésame.
Algo nos habias comentado ya de su delicada salud en su viaje a Chile.
Ahora solo queda quedarse con los bonitos recuerdos y las experiencias vividas. Nosotros no olvidaremos su imagen alegre y espiritu deportista… Todo nuestro cariño en estos momentos y solo confiar en que el tiempo hara su trabajo y curara el dolor.
Un abrazo grande y apretado, cargado de amor para ti Yan, Karlita, Amelia, Tristan y tu mama.
Neil, Renske, Sam and Elise
We will forever treasure the lovely time we spent together with Robin in Washington DC at Yan and Karla's house. We have so many good memories of the Christmas diners we shared and the homemade mince pies we ate together! Robin, you will be remembered dearly. With much love and sympathy,
Neil, Renske, Sam and Elise
Daniel
Queridos amigos y vecinos.
Ánimo y fuerza en este tiempo más difícil y triste por la partida del padre de Yan, pero a la vez de alegría de tener un referente como el de una vida plena, bien vivida. Un ejemplo para todos nosotros de amor y sentido.
France Girard
Mes condoléances, chère Claudette. Paix et courage autour et aux tiens dans cette grande transition.
Namasté/ Sat Nam
Daniel
Queridos amigos y vecinos.
Mucha fuerza y ánimo en este tiempo difícil para su familia. Les deseo una sentida celebración de la partida de este hombre que es ejemplo de una vida bien vivida, en plenitud y cargada de sentido. Un referente para todos. Nos abrazaremos cuando regresen y brindaremos en su memoria.
À Claudette, Yan, Karla, Amelia et Tristan, nos sincères condoléances. Quand nous sommes arrivés à Ottawa en 1988, vous étiez parmi nos premiers amis dans la ville. Les trois petits mousquetaires, Yan Karim et Julien, se sont connus à 5 ans, leur première année d'école. Ils étaient si mignons ensemble. Tous très grands maintenant !
Quelle belle photo de Robin ! Nous espérons que vos souvenirs des beaux moments passés avec papa et grand-papa Robin vous soulageront en cette période difficile. Malheureusement, nous ne pourrons pas être à Ottawa le 10 avril, mais nos pensées seront avec vous.
Gros bisous,
Susan & Denis - Julien, Sarah & Nate - Annie, Meaghen & Emma