His life loomed large, and his unexpected death looms even larger to those who knew and loved Havertown native and esteemed bank executive Brian Zwaan.

He died July 31 in a Sea Isle City swimming accident, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report by Colt Shaw.

“Besides the shock and sadness, there was clearly great love and celebration for a real man, a big presence, a great father and friend, a genuine business leader, someone who loved life, a good laugh and who put himself out there always for others and the community,” said WSFS President Mark Turner.

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Zwaan, who grew up at St. Denis School and graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor, was a Catholic All-American as a guard in football, but he was better known as a guardian of Carroll for years afterward. He served on its advisory board for 21 years, as well as the advisory board of Villa Maria Academy in Malvern.

Professionally, Zwaan was a co-founder and president of Penn Liberty Bank, then vice president and director of commercial banking when it was acquired by WSFS last year.

“Just a great human being; he was everybody’s friend,” said lifelong friend Stephen Kincade. “Big person; loud, loud voice. Big, big laugh.”

Read more of the tribute to Brian Zwaan in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.