Community stands behind Swaby family after farming accident

The community of Prince Albert, the Swaby family and those who loved him are mourning the loss of Matt Swaby, who died in an apparent farming accident.

The details of the incident are unclear, but the Prince Albert Fire Department posted on its Facebook page it was called to a farm on Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the RM of Prince Albert where crews extricated a person trapped in a piece of farm machinery.

Matt leaves behind his wife Carla, and sons Thomas, 6, Blake, 4, and Kody, 2.

A GoFundMe has been started for the family by Nicole Hoffart to raise $175,000. By the time of publishing, the fundraising total currently sat at $154,111.

“Your support will help Carla and the boys with the funeral, ranch expenses, education and hopefully some things that can bring Carla and the boys a smile … making life just a little more manageable,” Hoffart said on the GoFundMe page.

“Your support will have a huge impact this holiday season and is extremely appreciated by Carla and the boys.”

Details on honouring Swaby will be shared by the family.

Matt played hockey for many years, playing for local teams such as the Prince Albert Mintos midget AAA team and the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. Multiple teams shared their condolences with the family this week.

The Edmonton Oil Kings organization is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former team captain Matt Swaby.

A GoFundMe page has been setup in support of the Swaby family ➡️ https://t.co/oL8uBVV86M pic.twitter.com/xwIxslloYQ

— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) November 27, 2021

We are deeply saddened by the loss of former Americans player Matthew Swaby.

Our thoughts are with his family. 💙

» https://t.co/ybDn3Jcdjp pic.twitter.com/8OHY5oU9j9

— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) November 27, 2021

He also played for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Shellbrook Elks and the Kinistino Tigers.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Matt Swaby on Friday morning. Matt was was a key part of our…

Posted by Kinistino Tigers on Saturday, November 27, 2021

Delores Saunders, who lives a mile from where the Swaby family resides, said Matt was an amazing person, always friendly, smiling, willing to help and a family man.

“We’re just in shock as to what has happened,” Saunders told paNOW.

She explained they learned of the accident Friday evening and couldn’t believe what had happened.

“I had to slap my face to say, ‘Is it true? It can’t be. It can’t be Matt,’ ” she said. “It just doesn’t seem right because we would see him daily on the road. He’d be hauling bales or checking cattle.

“Matt wasn’t just a farmer himself, it was a family operation. His wife would be helping him drive the combine at harvest time. The little boys were always with him loving every moment of it.”

She added the financial support the Swabys have received so far through GoFundMe is a sign of respect, support and love for the family.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all. It’s wonderful … It’ll never bring Matt back but it’s amazing how everybody comes together in a tragedy like this,” she said.

Rural Municipality of P.A. Reeve Eric Schmalz, who was a good friend of Matt’s, explained Swaby was a five-star friend and everyone couldn’t ask for a better person to be in their corner.

“He would drop everything at a phone call and come and race over and help a friend or a neighbour out who was in need,” Schmalz said.

Schmalz described Matt as a dedicated family man who was an important part of this community.

“I don’t think you could say that Matt was only a member of our community. I think (the proof of that is) just the outpouring of support, the well wishes and the thoughts and condolences that are pouring in from all over — not just the community here but the region, even the province and beyond,” he said, adding he has got messages from people Matt played hockey with in the U.S.

Schmalz said the situation is heartbreaking but it’s heartwarming at the same time to see how many people feel the same way about Matt. When he met Matt, Schmalz said he had the ultimate team player mentality. If he knew someone was dealing with something in their life, he was the kind of guy to lift everyone else up.

“The world is a better place for having had Matt be in it,” Schmalz said.

Ian Gustafson, paNOW