It is with great sadness that we share the news of Ian’s unexpected passing on February 29th, 2020. He leaves his loving family: wife, Lise; sons, Adam and Isaac; father, Russell; sister, Stephanie; and brother, Graham. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth.
Ian was born and raised in Cordova Bay. Growing up he enjoyed exploring the shores of Cordova Bay, fishing in Bamfield and boating around the Gulf Islands.
Ian completed his Computer Science degree at the University of Victoria, and after graduation, worked for Woods Gordon and then Payless Gas. In 1992, Ian began a career in government as a business analyst with the Ministry of Transportation, eventually joining the Ministry of Citizens’ Services. At the time of his death, Ian was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Enterprise Services in the OCIO (Office of the Chief Information Officer). Professionally and personally, Ian had a broad impact, both within government and across the broader public sector.
Ian had a gentle and unassuming nature. He was most comfortable at home in the house he built, surrounded by family. He experienced great satisfaction ensuring that every aspect of his home was ‘smart’ and efficient. The family was assured that there was no problem that couldn’t be solved by his tinkering and keen eye for solutions.
Ian felt at peace in nature and enjoyed many family and friend trips including canoeing the Bowron Lakes and kayaking the Broken Group. He liked his bikes – his road bike where he cycled 30km daily and his motorbike he rode to clear his mind.
One of Ian’s greatest qualities was his desire to help others and find solutions to their problems. He had the ability to listen and understand people, and after some research and thought, he always had an idea to share. He was able to be exactly what people needed when they needed it most.
The family was most important to Ian. He offered endless support to his sons and took great pride in telling others about their accomplishments. Ian loved his wife Lise, with whom he shared a loving 30-year marriage.
He was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, cousin, uncle, brother-in-law, son-in-law, colleague and friend. He was the rock for many of us and we will experience this loss acutely.
We will be forever grateful for the outpouring of love and care that has been extended to our family. A private service will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers to the family, please remember Ian in your own way. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Robert Nolin
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Ira and Matthias Hoffecker Our heartfelt condolences to you Lise, Isaac and Adam in recognition of Ian’s passing. Much love from Luca, Lara, Ira and Matthias Hoffecker
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Shamir Sayani It was a shock and very sad to hear of Ian’s sudden passing. Ian had hired me for my first job in the BC Government with the Ministry of Transportation as a co-op student. I worked with Ian for several years and he has been both a friend and a mentor. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. Ian will definitely be missed by everyone.
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Michael Kennedy Mike & Jamie Kennedy
We were shocked & dismayed by Ian’s passing. I had some great discussions with him over the years on the soccer fields, we shared many of “great ideas”. He will be sadly missed.
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Niki Hughes Lise, Adam and Isaac
My deepest condolences for this tragic loss to your family.
Ian was a wonderful man, a bright light and lot of fun to work with. I have so much gratitude for having known Ian and for his camaraderie as we moved the work along. He had a fantastic sense of humour and an unassuming way of giving and uplifting others. His desire to make things better for others was immense – he truly cared. I will always be grateful for his advice and friendship.
My thoughts are with you.
Niki Hughes
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Dana Richards Our hearts go out to you Lise, Adam, Isaac and your family.
I worked with Ian at the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure. He was always very good to me and was the kindest soul. Since both of our departures from that ministry, we have kept in touch and I appreciated his friendship and advice.
A good man – leaving a deep loss to be felt.
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Deborah LeFrank To Ian’s precious family and his community of friends, I offer my sincere condolences. Knowing Ian’s family more than I knew him personally, certainly shows me that he was an incredible guy full of love for the people he carried in his heart.
Please feel the love and support that is coming to you during this very difficult time. We are here for you.
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Tina van der Lee My heart felt condolences for your immense loss. Ian was one of the bright lights in this world. He was always a pleasure to work with no matter how difficult the circumstances. Lise, my heart is broken for you and your boys. I hope you find some comfort and peace in the memories of an amazing husband, father and human being.
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Jasper Neate I was quite saddened to hear of Ian’s passing. I have many fond memories of Ian over the years that I will cherish. We connected together through our interest in cars and motorcycles. He was a great man, father, and husband. Lise, Isaac, and Adam I hope you are feeling the love and support from your friends and family during this time. Thinking of all of you, sending love your way.
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Randy Fehr I am still in shock. Ian was such a great leader but an even better person. We met in government and soon became friends. He was so well respected and so well liked. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Doreen Spoor To Lise and family,
So very sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. Take care in this sad time, we are thinking of all of you.
Doreen and Dave Spoor
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Chris & Emily Passero Heartfelt condolences in this time of great loss.
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Mike Kennedy Shocked, saddened & dismayed by the news. We didn’t know each other well, but we talked a lot over the years at the soccer fields. He was a great guy, super Dad to the boys. A great loss.
Mike & Jamie Kennedy
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Gail Golin and Dave Steffy Lise, Adam and Isaac: Our deepest condolences for your loss. Both my husband, Dave Steffy, and I worked with Ian since the 1990s. We fondly remember Ian’s expertise, enthusiasm, excellent client support, and sense of humour on our teams at the Highways ISB.
Collectively we all gained a bit of weight from our almost daily morning coffee/treats at Dutch Bakery with my team then later at Mocambos with Dave’s team.Both Dave and I are grateful for our years of working with Ian and for our recent conversations we had with Ian at retirement and long service gatherings. We had some laughs sharing stories with each other of our exciting – never a dull moment – times at Highways.
Our thoughts are with you.
Gail Golin and Dave Steffy
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Maureen & Owen Taylor Dear Lise, Adam and Issac,
Owen and I send our condolences for your loss. Lots of memories from the soccer field to Owen’s time working with Ian.
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Rod Phillips I was shocked And saddened to hear of Ian’s passing.
Although I didn’t see Ian much after high school, we grew up together in Cordova bay and went from Jiminy Crickets kindergarten through high school together.
My memories will always be full of school hijinks, summers spent on the beach or building and racing go karts, or sledding down hills in the snow or creating forts or riding bikes and probably a bit of tormenting Stephanie and Graham.
My condolences to all of Ian’s family.
Rod.
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Janis Stewart So very sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. We have wonderful memories of your family from hockey games and tournaments. With our deepest sympathies – Janis, Jason and Justin Stewart
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Kathy Butler Lise and family, I would like to extend my deepest felt condolences in recognition of Ian’s passing. I have no words to express how sad I am. If there is anything I can do in the future please let me know.
Kathy Butler
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Vince Blankenborg My condolences to you Lise, Adam and Isaac
Starting at Ministry of Transportation during the same time frame, I have enjoyed working alongside Ian these past 25+ years.
Many would agree with your comment that in addition to talking about his family, one of Ian’s greatest qualities was his desire to help others and find solutions to their problems. He definitely had the ability to listen and understand people . I was fortunate to have had a one on one chat with him prior to his passing.
Ian was someone you could trust and would want on your team when the going got tough. I often referenced Ian as a model person to work for, he genuinely cared for and looked out for his team while giving you the space to do what was expected of you. I am so thankful and feel very privileged to have had Ian as a co-worker, friend, confidant and mentor.
Thank you Ian, your presence and friendship will be greatly missed.
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frances gooday what a wonderful life to remember – i was a friend of Ruth’s and remember how very much she relied on his advice and appreciated his support
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Raynier Pipke I’m so very shocked to hear of Ian’s passing. We was a very good and kind person. I enjoyed working with him.
Too soon lad, too soon..
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Bette-Jo Hughes My heartfelt condolences to your family for this tragic loss. Ian was a quiet, intelligent, lovely man. He will be missed by everyone he touched. I am glad I was honoured to be one of those people.
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David W. I was deeply saddened by Ian’s passing. I had the privilege of working with Ian on several occasions and was struck by his calm and reassuring demeanour. He was a consummate professional and a genuinely nice person.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends who I know will miss his welcoming presence.
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Ken Kowalsky My condolences for your loss.
Dear Lise, and family,
It truly saddened me tonight, to find out Ian had passed.
I worked with Ian at Payless until the time he decided to call it quits and move on to bigger and better adventures in Government.
Ian took me under his kind wings during the sale of Payless and taught me all he knew about the IT systems that were very unique and somewhat complicated. Tonight I did a google search to try to connect with him, and finding this obituary made me cry. I still remember the fun times we had, and he got me into running 10K events around the Island.
Lise, please tell the boys that their dad changed lives, if it wasn’t for Ian and that two week crash course in IT, I would not have been transferred to Calgary with Shell Canada, would not have met my beautiful wife and had two beautiful daughter’s and a career of 40 year’s with Shell come March 1st, 2021 (Payless year’s were grandfathered into Shell as part of my transfer negotiations).
I owe this all to your kind, gentle father and husband, and it breaks my heart I could not have told him this personally tonight.
Hugs to you Lise, Adam and Isaac.
Rob