Tom left us peacefully on March 2, 2020 following a brief illness. He lived a very long and full life, dedicated to his family, Catholic faith, and beloved community of nearly 70 years, Trail and Warfield, BC. He was predeceased by his loving wife Edie (nee Campbell) McEwan in 2008 and his son Pat McEwan in 2011. He was also predeceased by his parents Thomas "Scotty" McEwan, his mother Mary (nee O'Malley) McEwan, and his younger siblings Ken McEwan, Mary Hoag, Shirley Wheatley, and Raymond McEwan.
Tom was born in Vancouver, BC in 1923. Following high school, Tom served overseas as a flying officer with the Royal Air Force during World War II. He then returned to Vancouver and graduated from UBC in 1951 with a Degree in Chemical Engineering. Immediately following his graduation, Tom and Edie married and moved to Trail, where Tom joined the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada (Cominco Ltd.), intending to stay for only two years. They both were immediately taken with Trail's people and family-orientation, and decided to stay and raise their own family. Tom served in a number of managerial positions during his 35-years with Cominco (now Teck Resources) before retiring in 1986, but it was his long-term role in professional recruitment and succession planning that marked his enduring legacy for the company and, more importantly, his beloved community.
Tom is survived by his sons; Mark (Beverley), Bill (Donna), Chris (Louise), Ken (Jacqueline), Tim (Cynthia); his thirteen grandchildren, Jake (Katie), David (Carla), Maureen (Mike), Daniel (Jordana), Patricia (Andrew), Michelle (Noah), Matt (DeeDee), Tipper (Alix), Mary (Jake), Mark (Claire-Marie), Jack, Ryan, and Katherine (Tanner); his fourteen great-grandchildren, Brynn, Tessa, Campbell, Raelyn, Quinn, Edie, Emmy, Ella, Christina, Simon, Phillipe, Danielle, Ava, and Emily; and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom and Edie took great pride and joy in their grandchildren. Following Edie's passing in 2008, Tom took further pride in seeing his grandchildren grow into adulthood, marry and have great-grandchildren, wishing only that they could have known Edie.
Tom loved people, the community of Trail and Warfield, and always made it a priority to make a difference and give to others. Tom most recently served on the Board of Directors of the Generation to Generation Society - Sanctuary; Trail Hospice Society; and, Kootenay Boundary Hospital Foundation. His other involvements over the years included: member of the Interior Health Medical Ethics Committee; Grief Support Group which he founded and facilitated; the Spiritual Care Committee of the Kootenay Boundary Hospital; Board member of the Trail Regional Hospital; original building committee member and member of the Board of Directors of Alpha House; St. Michael's School original building committee, and Chair and member of the Board of Directors; member of the Board of Advisors and member of the Board of Governors of Notre Dame University, Nelson, BC; member of Toastmasters; member of Refugee Settlement Committees; President of West Trail Little League (when its rep team won a Canadian Championship); Trail - Warfield Stingrays Swim Club executive; Royal Canadian Legion; and, the Knights of Columbus, as Grand Knight and District Deputy. In recognition of his extensive contributions to the community, Tom was honored as Trail-Warfield Citizen of the Year in 2013, and received the Kiwanis Church and Community Service Award in 2010.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at 10:30 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, 2012 - 3rd Avenue, Trail, BC celebrated by Father Francis dela Cruz. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery to follow. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Service has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, a donation may be made to the Le Roi Community Foundation (Edie and Tom McEwan Fund) P.O. Box 3, Trail, BC, Canada, VIR 4L3 or to a charity of your choice.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services