Gavin R. Sword

1973 - 2022
GAVIN R. SWORD

Gavin died on Wednesday, April 27, in Estero, Florida. Gavin is survived by his parents Rod and Delana Sword, his brothers, David (Lise Anne) and Ryan (Heather), his three beloved children – son Christian and daughter Savilla, both adopted with his former wife, Leslie, and daughter Elodie and her mother Michelle, former Mother-in-law Loida, Rita, Jeff, and many other family members, including Christina, Dan, and his nieces and nephews Vivienne, Garner, Clara, Emmitt, Sasha, Calvin and Macy.

Gavin had a Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and MBA from UCLA. He also had a CFA, and he began his career in corporate finance in Toronto, Canada. Gavin cared deeply about the world and social justice. He became a successful entrepreneur, with a career that spanned from automated home shading to software solutions for addiction clinics. He also served as a Kiva Fellow in Rwanda, where two of his children were born, and he supported his elder daughter's decision to attend high school in the country of her birth this past year. In all Gavin's endeavors, he impacted those around him with his dynamism, his mentorship and his sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by his former classmates and colleagues.

To know Gavin was to be his friend. Throughout his life he had a remarkable ability to create and sustain long lasting and deep friendships, despite the challenges of time and geography. Alan, Pat, JP, Cam, Lindsay, Kirsten, Jay, Immaculée, John, Charla, Elena, George, Helen, Mike, Ed, Mary Kate, Kevin, Meredith, and a hundred others grieve with us.

Gavin was a unique spirit with a spark for life that touched everyone who knew him. He exuded love: sometimes with a prank, but more often with an act of kindness. He always had a thoughtful word for a friend facing tough times; he brightened many people's days with his handwritten notes of encouragement.

Gavin was happiest when he was with his children. He loved to have Christian, Savilla and Elodie around a campfire - eating s'mores, recounting the day's adventures and learning to recite his favorite Robert Service poems. He was so proud of the amazing individuals they are becoming. He and their mothers worked together to impart in each of them a sense of wonder and joy for the world around them, and compassion for others and one another.

Gavin took his own life after a long struggle with depression, which he fought with real determination. His death is a sad reminder of the scourge of mental health challenges and our collective need to support those who face depression, with courage, love and empathy. Words cannot express our sorrow that Gavin is gone.

Memorials honoring Gavin were held on May 7 in Bonita Springs, Florida, and June 18 in Toronto, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Kiva are welcomed. Those can be made at this kiva.org/donate/supportus. Thank you.