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
24 Responses
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
Our heartfelt condolences to you Lise, Isaac and Adam in recognition of Ian’s passing. Much love from Luca, Lara, Ira and Matthias Hoffecker
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.
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.