Joshua Switzer
May 19, 2012
On Saturday morning, May 19th, 2012, a beautiful beacon of light was extinguished. Joshua Switzer brought light when there was darkness. He found many ways to demonstrate his joy for life. Joshua understood that the true path to happiness was in living simply and loving greatly. Josh took great joy in a nice run, a good workout, a fast paced game of CounterStrike, a great meal and a couple of dogs to pat in his lap. Those of us who are devastated and left behind can’t imagine how we can continue without Josh to soothe our souls. He was a graduate of CCH French Immersion, a student of Economics at UWO and a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He betrayed his stature of physical strength with a gentle sensibility and a kind heart. Josh will be dearly missed. Joshua was the adored son of Rob and Pam Switzer, both of whom treasured the special time he took to help his mom with her Rheumatoid Arthritis and his dad with anything he needed help with; brother of Matt (Lisa), brother and best friend of Benjamin and constant teaser of his sister Brianna, which is how he showed his love for her. He was the proud grandson of Mary Smith, of London, and Lloyd and June Switzer, of Ilderton. Josh spent many a night smoking cigars and drinking red wine with his Uncle Kevin and benefiting from the love of family at a gathering hosted by Aunt Brenda. He is also sadly missed by all his aunts and uncles, Pat and Wayne King, Cheri and Peter Ansley, Kim and Julie Switzer and Perri Smith. Lots of families don’t know their cousins, but in our family, the cousins are very close friends. Josh will be missed by Sarah, Katie, Meagan and Amanda Switzer, Kristen and Leslie King, Christine and Andrew Burns and David Ansley. Josh also would have been an uncle, any day now, to little “Bean”. He was predeceased by his Grandpa Murray Smith. Visitation will be held at the WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Wednesday from 3:00 – 5:00 and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at “The Chapel” in Revera’s Windermere on the Mount, 1486 Richmond Street, London, on Thursday, May 24th, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Private family interment, St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Josh’s family request that donations be provided to Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity for a scholarship that is being set up in Josh’s name. Cheques may be left at the funeral home.
Brother, son, unlucky one;
loyal friend, untimely end;
woken from a sleepless dream,
to lay and rest in peace again.
Now every breath a reverent sigh,
airy metronomes of mourning,
instead of crying, asking why –
to duties for performing:
Joshua, the Brundle-Fly,
his monitor marked with notes:
“focus on where the crosshair is,
don’t give up…don’t change what works.”
Love you Josh – we will never forget you
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Your friends from the Rotary Club of London South are deeply saddened and wish to express their sincere condolences in the loss of your son.
Dear Josh: I never taught you in university but I know you will be missed at Western. RIP.
Dear Rob and Pam I am so very sorry to hear about your son. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I cannot imagine the angish that you are going through. Lossing a precious child is the hardest thing for anyone to handle, my thoughts and prayers are with all your family. Your son sounded amazing, and am truly sorry for this tragedy to have happened to someone so young. Sincerly Alvena Roulston
Rob and Pam, My heart and prayers go out to you both and your family. I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I am so very sorry for your loss. Susan Mahoney
Dear Pam, Rob & Family, I was so very sorry and saddened to read and hear about your loss of Josh. Personally, I cannot think of anything more tragic than the loss of a child. Although I never had the pleasure of knowing your son I know how very important family is to all of you. Please know I am thinking of you during this very difficult time. Sincerely Carol Gilchrist
Dear Rob, Pam and family, I am thinking of you during this very difficult time.
Dear Rob , Pam and fsmily, Our deepest sympathy goes out to you with your tragic loss. Brother Leo Gulikers was telling us how he was so special and such a kind and caring young man. Remember all the good times you had with Josh- they will help you through the time ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rudy and Ellen Koert
To the Switzer family, My son Justin Faiola is a friend of Josh and a fellow member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. I have never met Josh but the story of his passing has deeply affected myself and our family. You have been on my mind since I heard the news. As a parent I can even begin to imagine losing one of my children under any circumstances and I am so very sorry that you have had to endure such a tragedy. Justin spoke of how Josh could just light up a room with his sense of humour and I see those words have been echoed by the many people who called him their friend. I hope you can enjoy the wonderful memories of the time you were blessed to have such an amazing son in your life for even though his time on this earth was cut short, his life defined you and your family and impacted everyone whose his life touched. Our deepest sympathy. Karen Faiola and family
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Switzer, I was blessed to have taught French Immersion at CCH to all three of your beautiful children, Ben, Brianna and Josh. Since Josh’s graduation from secondary, I would see him regularly at the gym, focused and determined, and always such a respectful young man. I am profoundly saddened by this tragic occurrence and pray for your healing and for that of your family and friends. Ben et Brianna, sachez que vous êtes dans les cœurs de la famille de l’Immersion française.
Dear Pam & Rob, Our thoughts are with you! Our thoughts are with you and your family. Carmen & David
I didn't personally know josh, but i did know him from counterstrike, My heart goes out to all of his family. He was a great man, always knew how to put a smile on everyone's face. Stay strong. RIP Josh and my condolences to his family
Pam and Rob, my thoughts and prayers (and virtual hugs) are with you and your beautiful family. May your faith and love sustain you through this tragic loss.
Dear Rob, Pam, Matt, Ben, Brianna, Lisa and Family, The measure of us as parents is not what our children become but the depth of impact that they ultimately have on those around them. The life of each of your children is a testament that the two of you have met that high standard of test. It is because of your warm, supporting and love-driven parenting that Josh was the wonderful young man so many of us were fortunate to know and appreciate. You have captured your son Josh for all of us in the fitting words of his obituary. More importantly however you have left each of us better because of who he became - the incredible young man you nurtured and loved. Distance of miles as we have learned does not dininish the depth of our relationships, Nor does the distance of time diminish the richness of wonderful memoies of time spent together. My memories of the great times spent with you and all of your extended family, will always be punctuated by Josh's smile. humour, warmth and love of life. Thank you Josh!!! God bless!! Love and hugs always. Darrel
Words cannot even begin to express how sad I am for all of you. I lost a brother many years ago in a tragic accident and know all to well this feeling of loss and extreme pain. I just spoke with Josh a few weeks ago at the grocery store...he had grown up so much since I saw him last and was so handsome. Hold onto each other through the coming days and months! You have been in my thoughts constantly..please reach out if you need anything!! All my love!!
Pam and Rob, Brianna, Ben, Matt, Lisa and "Little Bean" Our hearts go out to you for your incredible loss. It is so obvious that all those qualities everyone sees in you Rob and Pam are so represented in your children. May the love, humor, kindness, compassion, strength, caring and vulnerability that were so much a part of Josh continue to be reflected in all of you. May God Bless and Keep you all always. Our love and prayers are with you today and always. Dick and Sharon
Pam, Rob and family: I wish we were capable of knowing what to say or offer to do to help take away the incomparable pain and sorrow of Josh's loss. For some reason, you and your family have been chosen to bear this terrible burden. Please know that Shirley and I are praying that you and your family will be closer and stronger for the legacy left by your Josh. Mike and Shirley Joyce
Pam and Rob - Parents never expect to outlive their children. I can't imagine a loss that is sadder or harder to understand. I just want you to know that those of use who care for both of you as well as Matt, Ben and Brianna are thinking of each of you with deep compassion and sorrow at this difficult time. Please hug each other - as well as Matt and Lisa, and Ben and Brianna. Continue to cherish your time together. The love each of you had for Josh and have for each other will be the strength that will help you get through the days and weeks ahead. Please know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy, Dan
I've only met Josh once, but I've known him for many years due to Counter-Strike. Josh was a great guy, always had good things to say about me whenever people would say the opposite. Although not knowing him on a personal level like many did, you couldn't do anything but like the guy. The internet friends(and many of them) enjoyed being around Josh and playing games with him, he was a great community figure who did nothing but nice things for people. He was very competitive and would always strive to be the best at Counter-Strike, which shows that his mentality was obviously brought over from his real life. I'm very saddened by his passing, and I'll be praying for him and his family. RIP Josh and my condolences to his family.
Dear Matt & Family.....I didn't know Josh, but I know how it feels to lose someone so special in such a tragic way. You see I lost my sister to a tragic car accident last year. I can honestly say there is nothing in the world that compares to this horrific and unjust loss. I can only offer that fortunately God gave us the ability to grieve and move through that grief and come to a place that you are able to go on. It's just over a year for me and I still have my days, but each day that passes I get stronger as you will my friend. You will get to a place where you will cherish the wonderful memories and times you had with Josh but you will never be the same again....you will find a "new normal". Your new baby will bring you the most comfort of all knowing that you HAVE to go on and be strong because that new baby needs you every minute. Stay strong, keep well...hold onto your loved ones...you will get through this together. My deepest condolences...Jan
Dear Rob, Pam and the families, Our deepest sympathy for the horrible loss you are facing. We hope the memories you made with Josh sustain you now and in the weeks/years ahead. Knowing you, Rob and Pam, we've do doubt that the world has lost a very special person. Words cannot soothe your pain, the questions you will ask, nor the gap he will leave behind. Our prayers are with you all.
Dear Rob, Pam, Matt, Ben, Brianna, Lisa and Families...we send our love and our most heartfelt condolences to you all at this very difficult time. Please know you are in our thoughts and in our prayers. We include your brothers & sisters and families and Uncle Lloyd and Aunt June in this circle. From our hearts to yours....Maxine (Wolfe) Hodgson and Sandi Wolfe.
Memories
I had the pleasure of meeting Josh a number of times because he was a a really good friend of my brother- David Pope. I remember the time when Josh, Ben and Dave toured Europe, and came back with some pretty awesome stories. I always admired their fun and exciting friendship. My heart goes out to the Switzers at this tragic time, my prayers are with you.
~ Deanna Pope