Our dearest brother Iain passed away on Friday afternoon, surrounded by family members. Iain was predeceased by his parents Dr. J.M. Bell and Catherine Bell. He is survived by his brothers, Alastair, Neil (Bernadine), Hamish, and his two sisters Mairi (Andrew) and Moira (Jon). Iain was also loved by his nephews and nieces.
Iain grew up in Victoria enjoying playing lacrosse and hockey in the big yard on Woodley Road with his many family members and friends. Growing up in Victoria also provided other opportunities for fun like biking to the beach and building rafts at Gonzalez Bay and golfing at Juan de Fuca golf course. Winter would occasionally allow special experiences like skating at Spectacle Lake. He travelled with family members on many vacations in western Canada and the U.S. He was also fortunate to travel overseas to Scotland and Spain, providing him with many happy memories. He enjoyed working with his brother Alastair for many years at the Victoria St. Vincent de Paul. Iain was a sports fan, loving a good CFL or Oakland Raiders NFL game, but was also a lifelong devotee of the Boston Bruins. He loved to read and always had a copy of Readers Digest and The Hockey News by his side. But more than anything else, Iain loved to spend time with his family, enjoying a beverage (none of that non-alcoholic beer please!) and laughing while swapping stories. Although his physical health declined in later years, Iain retained a sharp wit and attitude as well as a phenomenal memory and was able to remind the rest of us of fun times and experiences he had shared with us years before. Iain also never forgot anybody’s birthday. We are all deeply saddened by his passing and will miss his ready smile and laugh.
The family would like to thank the staff of Twin Oaks for their extraordinary care of Iain over the last 5 years, which sustained Iain and gave him a chance to live fully through their efforts.
A Graveside service was held at2:00 pm, Wednesday April 27, 2022 at Royal Oak Burial Park, 4673 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC followed by a reception next door, in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Iain’s name to the Victoria SPCA https://spca.bc.ca/locations/victoria/
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com To view service click on below.
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Nicole Bell
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Gerry and Christine Strik We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the Bell family for your loss of Iain. He was a very kind-hearted man and will be greatly missed. We send our love to you all.
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Bernadine My condolences to the whole Bell family at the loss of a beloved brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. I will never forget the first time I met Iain. He and mum made sure to recount many stories of the Bell family that made me laugh. Iain’s laugh and glee at filling in tidbits that mum forgot were priceless. I felt very welcome. Over the years I continued to be impressed by his amazing memory and his kindness. His love for family and friends shone bright. He and I would “argue” over who had the best hockey team. A donation to the SPCA is a wonderful tribute to his love for animals, particularly his cat Socks. Iain will be greatly missed by us all.
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Shannon Bell I was so lucky to know Uncle Iain. I was also lucky to hear about how great of a brother he was throughout his whole life through my dad, Neil. I could always hear my dad on the phone with him, and they were always the most animated of all his phone calls. I am so grateful for all the kindness Uncle Iain showed me and everyone who knew him. The world needs more people like him, and it will be a sadder place without him. My deepest condolences to my uncles, aunts, and my dad. I love you all very much.
Uncle Iain was always a light and brought so much fun to our house when he would visit. I will always remember his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and how much joy he brought my dad. Sending love to all the members of the Bell family.