November 5, 1956—June 21, 2025

Tony Swiderski’s infectious love of life and optimism left a mark on everyone around him. He was a loving husband, father, mentor, coach, avid chef, skier, gardener, and noted dog-lover. Tony moved to Vancouver on a sunny day in 1981, drawn by the ocean and the mountains. He died on June 21, 2025, surrounded by family and friends, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He remained cheerful and active, swimming in the ocean and cycling with his dog Roy into his final days. He will be deeply missed.

Tony was born to parents who fled Poland during World War II. They instilled in him the importance of hard work, family, and taking a broad and compassionate interest in the world around him. He built a distinguished career over 30 years at KPMG, founding the firm’s cross-border and US tax practice in Vancouver and leading it nationally as the most successful practice of its kind in Canada. He was honoured by his profession as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA) of British Columbia. Tony was an inspiring, passionate leader—an outside-the-box thinker who was prepared to fight hard for what he believed in. He set high expectations but always provided the support and guidance to achieve them. After his retirement, Tony developed a part-time career as a coach and mentor.

Tony was a great friend and conversationalist—genuinely attentive, deeply present, and always ready to share a laugh or create a joyful moment. But Tony’s true passion was his family. Tony was a uniquely devoted father, spending countless hours with his son Mat talking, skiing, camping, riding bikes, or swimming, and gently imparting fatherly wisdom in beautiful letters that appeared in Mat’s room every couple of months. Tony was elated when his granddaughter Frankie was born just over two years ago. He immediately became a part of her life, babysitting Frankie every few days and preparing countless meals for Mat and Jamie as they adapted to early parenthood. Tony and his wife Angela were devoted life partners and best friends, navigating intense careers, sprinkled with world adventure. They worked together to create beauty in the world around them and relished the simple joys of being surrounded by it, whether in the city, forest, or the oceanside. Tony in his chair in the field at Birken staring at Gates Peak with the wind in his face.  At peace, in his element.

Tony is survived by his wife, Angela Lau, his son, Mathieu Swiderski, daughter-in-law, Jamie Van Ymeren, granddaughter, Frankie Swiderski, his sister Karen Swiderski, her husband Jim Prust, their children (Christopher, Nicholas, Morgan, and Juliette Prust) and their families. 

Tony would be delighted for anybody to plant a tree or sit in the wind in his memory. A celebration of Tony’s life will be held on September 7, 2025 at the Museum of Anthropology (6393 NW Marine Drive Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z2) at 6:00pm.