Graham Swales
April 28, 1911 — December 11, 1983
“A Brother Beloved”
For over twenty years our esteemed brother served on the Board of Food for the Flock Inc. His true exercise towards the distribution of the printed word, to build up the Lord’s people, has been most appreciated and along with his quiet godly counsel will long be remembered by all.
Graham was born on April 28, 1911, in Midland, Ontario, the youngest child of William Edward and Harriet Swales.
Graham was born again as a 13-year old boy on May 4, 1924, under the ministry of Mr. John Silvester and Mr. George Shivas. The verse that led him to the Lord was Isaiah 53:5. He became actively involved in serving the Lord through delivering tracts, teaching Sunday
School, organizing children’s meetings, preaching the Gospel and ministering the Word of God.
Graham endeared himself to the Lord’s people during his Christian life by his thorough presentation of the Word of God, his love for people and his sense of humour.
Graham’s family remember him affectionately as a husband, brother, father and grandfather who provided for their spiritual and temporal welfare with love, fervour and loyalty.
Graham is survived by his wife Vera; sister Muriel Swales; children Edward, Elizabeth, and Robert; grandchildren Bill, Derek, Jim and Sandra Swales; Cathy, Carolyn and Lisa Joyce; Jennifer and Jonathan Swales.
The funeral service was conducted at the Bramalea Bible Chapel on Wednesday, December 14, 1983. Dr. James Naismith ministered and Mr. Robert Saynor conducted the committal service.
The following poem was found on the flyleaf of a New Testament which belonged to Graham:
Out of this life I shall never take
Things of silver and gold I make;
All that I cherish and hoard away
After I leave — on this earth must stay;
THOUGH I CALL IT MINE AND BOAST ITS WORTH I MUST GIVE IT UP WHEN I LEAVE THIS EARTH
All that I gather — all that I keep—
I must give it up when I fall asleep;
And I often wonder what I shall own
In that other life when I pass alone.
WILL THE GREAT JUDGE SAY WHEN THE TASK IS THROUGH THAT MY SPIRIT HAS GATHERED SOME RICHES TOO?
Or shall at last it be mine to find
All that I worked for is left behind!