A LIFE LIVED FULL THROTTLE

Second from left, Chelsea Stebner; Don Swick, centre; Tom Bissonnette and Paul Carrobour.

The world lost a good one.

Who knew that back when I was a younger woman, Tom Bissonnette would take me to Dodge City Collision to meet the Dons? The first thing Don Swick said to me was, “Nice skirt”—or that 25-ish years later, I would call him one of my dearest friends. Don was one in a million. He lit up a room. He made us wonder how in the world he got away with so many one-liners and offsides. He was quick-witted as hell.

Don Swick started his career in the collision industry working with Tom Bissonnette at Parr Auto Body managing the parts department. He was young, brash and very funny. He walked the line a little too close and Tom fired him! But, in true Don fashion, he quickly overcame that and a year later Tom hired him at Dodge City Collision. Throughout his life and his career, he maintained strong friendships and rose to become an influential individual in the collision repair industry.

Don was hired at PPG as a Territory Manager in Saskatchewan and the first thing he did was bust the glass ceiling and move 55 ish shops over to PPG in the first few months. He quickly earned Top Performer for the Canadian Team. He held several roles in PPG: Territory manager, business solutions manager, Western Canadian team lead, Western Canadian regional manager and strategic accounts manager. He nicknamed himself the Franchisee! Don was influential in the success of many Saskatchewan shops by leading them (and maybe forcing some of them) to join the MVP Roundtable groups.

Shops such as ours, Giles Midtown Auto Body, Regina Auto Body, and many more across Canada were encouraged and became better because of Don. He retired in 2024 after an incredibly successful career in collision repair.

I think he was like the Elvis of Collision Repair. Famous for all sorts of things! Don knew many shop owners, leaders, and industry representatives all the way across North America. He always encouraged, inspired and influenced his circle with positivity and how well you could do. Don also wasn’t afraid to tell you that you could do better! And then, he helped you to figure out how. He was a cheerleader of collision repair shops. Dare I say he was an ‘influencer’?

Don lived his personal life much like his work life. He passionately loved his family and friends; fishing and boating and the Bruins. He loved food and fine wine and loved sharing it with all those around him.

He carried on a tradition that was passed down from his parents Jules and Laura. He, his wife Rae, daughter Serena and sons Alec and Evan hosted a legendary party every Boxing Day. In true Ukrainian fashion it was filled with perogies, sausage and the secret sauce, Ukrainian hooch. If you worked in collision repair and were in the Saskatoon area, you were invited to the Swick house.

For our team here at Parr, he was what you’d call a lifer and a Parr Ambassador. He did recruit Paul Carrobourg away from us and bring him over to PPG. Paul is now the regional manager for Canada West, which happened with our blessing. He has always been part of our team and remains a valued member of our Parr family. He hosted Parr’s 70th Anniversary in his home in 2022 with live music, food and cheer.

A couple of years ago, when Don was going through cancer treatment, we held a fundraiser and challenge with our team called “Sweatin’ For Swick”. We, along with a long-time customer of Parr’s and friend of Don’s raised several thousand dollars for Ride for Dad (a charity directed to prostate cancer research) Parr wouldn’t be who we are today without the influence of Don.

He was the man of many lives and was the most resilient person I know. Don faced challenges and tragedy in his life. He lost his sister when he was just a kid himself and their family also lost their baby daughter Darcey.

He fought and won the cancer battle four times. Don lived life with a gusto that many of us only dream of. To know him was a gift. He brought joy, laughter and an incredibly positive attitude to all of those in collision repair. He will be remembered with stories, laughter, and a few tears.

If we take anything away from Don’s vivid life it is to strive for it all. But do it with joy. Live your life, love your family, love your work and appreciate each moment that you have.

Those of us in collision repair, and all the lives he touched are better because we had the opportunity to know Don.