Arno Swiridjuk

1930 - 2021

SWIRIDJUK, Arno On the morning of December 28, 2021, Arno Georg Friedrich Swiridjuk - beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and uncle - passed away peacefully at age 91 at Victoria Hospice, following a courageous fight against prostate cancer. Born on April 7, 1930 in Zeblin, Germany, Arno was a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur. His lifelong love of gardening began when he was just a teen, earning his Journeyman's Certificate in 1948 and becoming a specialist in growing orchids. Arno's additional studies led him to running his own private school in Waiblingen, where he taught typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, English, and German. In 1956, Arno emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada where he started a new career in the steel industry. He co-founded Empire Ornamental Iron Works in 1958 and then formed Abesco Ltd. in 1965, developing the company into a heavy structural steel fabrication operation. Arno retired in 1995, allowing him to pursue his passions for golf and travel. He was proud to be the oldest member of Olympic View Golf Club in Victoria, his home for the last 20 years. Arno was also an avid hockey and football fan, cheering on the Winnipeg Jets, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and his favourite quarterback, Tom Brady. The last of his immediate family, Arno was predeceased by his parents Willi and Hedwig Swiridjuk (née Bendlin), and his siblings Rudi, Marie, Adalbert, Martin, Dietrich, and Irma. Left to forever cherish Arno's memory are his wife of 32 years, Pauline Swiridjuk; daughter Sonya Swiridjuk; daughter Moracine Graham and her children, Brendan and Tegan; nephew Thomas Swiridjuk and his mother, Anni-Lise; cousin Rita Gustin; extended family members in Canada and Germany; and many golfing buddies and friends. A celebration of Arno's life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be offered online at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-colwood/obituaries