Ashes of Calgary Evel Knievel fan carried over Snake River Canyon

Hollywood stuntman Eddie Braun was hardly alone when he finished the feat that Evel Knievel famously failed to do back in 1974.

Joining him for the600-metre jump over Snake River Canyon in a steam-powered rocket were the ashes of Todd Swayze.

"They were in Eddie's pocket,"his wifeTamaraSwayzetold theCalgaryEyeopeneron Thursday."He wouldn't miss that jump for all the tea in China. That man was obsessed. That was a bucket list for him to be there."

Swayzesaid her husband, who died of lung cancer in February,had been a huge fan since histeenage years.

"He had metEvelKnieveland LindaKnievelandRobbieKnieveloutside a doughnut shop in Calgary just off ofMacleodTrail and he was hooked. I mean, every child back in the 70s was jumping this, jumping that to beatEvel, 'cause he was the coolest."

It was Braun, along with the rocket's designer Scott Truax, who orchestrated the special memorial.

The three had become friendly several years ago at Evel Knievel Days in Butte, Mont., the annual festivalcelebrating the legendary daredevil.

Tamara Swayze, along with several dozen members of the Knievel family, watched Braun soar over the southern Idaho canyon on Sept. 16 in a custom-built rocket called "Evel Spirit."

"Never once did I think that Eddie wouldn't make it. I had all the confidence in that man," she said.

"It's overwhelming that they would show such grace and kindness to my husband. And to honour him."

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