It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, John Martin Swallow of Vernon, BC. Born February 11, 1939, in Drumheller, Alberta, to Walter John and Lillian (née Jervis) Swallow, John died peacefully on June 19, 2023, while a resident at the North Okanagan Hospice House, where he received amazing care. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Bernice, in 2020, and by brothers Ken (Sharon) in 2023, and James (Carolyn) in 2022. He is survived by his brother Stephen, son John (Diane), daughter Suzanne, as well as grandchildren Brittany, Scott, and Kaden.
Dad had an aviation passion that spanned over 60 years. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957 and became a fighter pilot in Zweibrücken, West Germany, with 434 (Bluenose) squadron flying the F-86 Sabre. His talents as a gunfighter saw him twice selected to Canada’s four-man international aerial gunnery team. His most passioned achievement (apart from his two children of course!) was when he was selected to be a member of the Golden Centennaires, an air demonstration team formed to celebrate Canada’s centennial (100 years) birthday. The Centennaires flew the Canadair Tutor jet aircraft, and they performed 121 shows in 1967 across Canada and in the United States. Dad said that if the weather was good, the team performed the “high show”, and if the cloud ceiling wasn’t great, they would perform the “low show”, and if it was really bad weather, they performed the “indoor show”, usually accompanied by a few beers, lots of hand gestures and the occasional song.
After 24 years with the RCAF, dad retired to become a corporate pilot with Irving Oil Canada based in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he flew a variety of fixed wing and rotary aircraft.
Over the span of his military career, this true “pilot’s pilot,” trained on the Harvard and thereafter followed tours on the F-86 Sabre, CF-5, the Canadair Tutor, and even brought his new bride to the east coast on their honeymoon in a T-bird jet trainer. After his retirement to Vernon, he continued his flying passion with the RV7A that he built in his garage (until the wings needed to be added). You have likely seen him leading the Vernon “Snowflakes” in formation, a group of aviation-obsessed, like-minded individuals piloting their fast-flying kit-built aircraft, over the Okanagan skies during the past 20 years.
You will be missed dad, by so many. We have never heard you raise your voice. You never had a bad word to say about anyone, and oh could you tell a story and a joke!
As he would often say to fellow pilots upon saying goodbye, “Low and slow, and nose up in the turns.”

A remembrance of dad’s life will take place at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home 4303 Pleasant Valley Rd. Vernon, on Thursday, June 29^th, at 11:00 a.m. Tears are okay, but laughter will be expected.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to North Okanagan Hospice Society, or a charity of your choice, is appreciated.

Arrangements Entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home 250-542-4333