Visitation and a celebration of life service for Oak Trace Elementary School third-grade student Tucker Swain, who died April 29, have been set for May 5 at the Grand Park Events Center.
Swain, 9, was struck by a vehicle around 2 p.m. on Apollo Parkway. He was taken to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and was later pronounced dead, officials said.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at Grand Park Events Center, 19000 Grand Park Blvd., followed by a celebration of life beginning at 5 p.m. Those who attend are asked to wear casual clothing, especially those of your favorite sports teams (except Purdue) to remember Tucker’s love of sports, according to Swain’s obituary with Randall & Roberts Funeral Home.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, staff and community members who had the pleasure to be touched by his life and spirit. Tucker was a valued member of our Oak Trace family and will be greatly missed,” a statement from Westfield Washington Schools said. “We ask that you keep the Swain family in your thoughts as they go through this unfathomable experience. It is during times like this that it is most important that we continue to come together as a Shamrock community to support one another.”
Oak Trace Principal Jane Hitch said Swain was “a shining star” at the school and loved to learn, was a gifted athlete and a good friend. She also said Swain played on many basketball, baseball and football teams.
Hitch described the child as one who craved new challenges, sought out new books to read and kept teachers at the school on their toes by asking a lot of “why” questions in math.
“He was a great big brother, often walking his sister and brothers to their classrooms in the morning,” she said.
In April, Swain played the lead role in the third-grade production of “Economan” and “sang his heart out that night injecting humor into lessons about economics bringing joy to the audience,” Hitch said.
“Tucker was loved and will be missed dearly by all of Westfield, especially his Oak Trace family,” Hitch said.
Oak Trace is providing space for students, individuals or groups to process Swain’s death and to remember him. Administrators, counselors and former Oak Trace staff will be on-site to provide emotional support and facilitate conversation, according to the district.
Resources are also being provided to families at home if assistance is needed to help with grief through a school counselor, officials said. The incident on Apollo Parkway remains under investigation, Westfield police Lt. Billy Adams said.
A GoFundMe page has been established to support Swain’s family at gofundme.com/f/tucker-swain. Obituary information for Swain can be found by visiting www.randallroberts.com/obituaries/tucker-swain.
