Ian died suddenly on February 10, 2016. Ian will be lovingly remembered and terribly missed by his wife Angie Vogt; her children Jason (Adrienne), Alison, Julian (Mai) Macnaughton; sister Leila; extended family and many good friends. He adored his six young grandchildren and they loved to play with their Opa.
Ian was born in Calgary and has lived in Victoria since 1949. He attended Mt. View High School. Ian received his Certified General Accountant Designation in 1975 and qualified as a Certified Internal Auditor in 1978. He received a Master of Public Administration degree from University of Victoria in 1992 and a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in 1993.
Ian joined the Cadet Corps in 1960. He was awarded the trophy as Best Cadet on more than one occasion. Ian placed second in the province on the Master Cadet assessments in 1964 and was selected to attend the National Awards Cadet Camp in Banff, Alberta. Later in 1964, Ian joined the militia as a gunner and continued until 1994. During his time as a gunner, he successfully completed various courses and received many promotions. In 1982, he was promoted to the rank of LCol and appointed Deputy Commander Victoria Militia District. He completed the Basic Military Parachutist Course in 1984. Ian was appointed an Officer of the Order of Military Merit in 1984, promoted to Colonel and appointed as Commander Victoria Militia District. He later transferred to Militia Area Pacific, commuting to Vancouver, before finally serving as the CO of the 5th (BC) Field Artillery Regiment RCA from 1991 to 1994.
As a longtime provincial government employee, Ian mentored and encouraged many along the way. He held a number of key financial positions with the BC government including Director of Financial Services and Comptroller for the Ministry of Social Services and Housing, Director of Finance and Administration for the Ministry of Attorney General, and Director of Operations for the BC Gaming Commission. Ian was also a member of Rotary International for a number of years.
Ian first met Angie in 1994, and remained happily together since. Together with Angie, Ian fulfilled his love of travel, including multiple visits with family in Japan and Brazil, and countless cruises. Ian was an avid reader and history buff, and appreciated a good classic western film. Ian particularly enjoyed time with family, especially vacations with grandchildren, and walks with dog Charlie.
Ian will be remembered for his kind and patient nature, courageous determination, sense of “ha ha”, and unwavering love and support of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Parkinson Society Canada or Parkinson Society BC.
A Celebration of Ian’s Life will be held at the Bay St. Armoury on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Stu McDonald
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Dennis Stolen My most sincere condolences on being informed of my friend, Ian Smith’s, passing. We attended university together at Uvic. He, together with our mutual friend Brian Dopson, shared those wonderful, crazy and typical years together. Ian was ‘Best Man’ at my wedding, travelled to England to continue to share in adventures with me, and we sailed back on an ocean liner together and then drove across Canada to return to Victoria. Yes … haunts from the past …
and wonderfully oblivious at the time to whatever the future held … we had shared incredible stolen moments together. In the past decades, I had lost touch with my friend ‘Smitty’, but always thought of him, revered him as a friend, and now know how fortunate I have been to have been able to share that time in our history … those previous years when our lives intertwined. I regret not knowing his special family in later years … but hoping in these modest words that all might now know how much I loved him.Den (Dennis Stolen)
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Linda Schurman We were so saddened to hear of Ian’s sudden passing, from our son, Joel, when he phoned from Thunder Bay last weekend. We recall attending SFU alumni reunions with Ian and Angie in Victoria and kept in touch with their lives and its joys and challenges via the “kids”. Please accept our deepest sympathy. You have many happy times together to cherish in the difficult days ahead. Love and best wishes to all the family, Linda and Sandy Schurman and family
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Dan Korolyk I served with Ian in the 5th for almost 20 years. He was a good natured & kind soul. We have lost a great man & soldier. Prayers go out to all his family, friends & comrades.
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Maureen Gros Oh my goodness Angie. So sorry to hear your sad news. No words seem appropriate at this time, except love you lots and prayers are with you and your family.
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Bgen W.T.(Bill) Wickett,CD, (ret`d) I always enjoyed working with Ian over the years, and respected his dedication to his unit and his soldiers. We spent many memorable hours together at Ft Lewis and Yakima shooting. Shirley and I remember the happy times we spent together when I was District Commander in Victoria.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the family.
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Niall macnaughton Ian is sincerely appreciated by all. Am happy to have shared time and family with Him. He blessed us all with intelligence, great humour and loving ways. He will be sorely missed… And lovingly remembered, always.
Angie and family,
Our thoughts are with all of you at this very difficult time. Ian’s life, his care and support for others and his achievements will remain with all of us forever.
I first met Ian when I was a Lieutenant in the 5th (BC) Field Battery and I quickly came to appreciate his abilities, his intelligence, his sense of humour and his commitment to excellence. Over many succeeding years our paths crossed, especially at events and exercises involving Gunners of all ranks. Ian’s effectiveness and leadership were obvious to all who worked with him and his military achievements were formally recognized by his appointment as an Officer within the Order of Military Merit.
In more recent years he continued to serve as an active and productive director of the Fifth (BC) Field Artillery RCA Foundation and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving with him in this endeavour. Through these recent experiences I came to learn more of his deep love and care for Angie and family and of their cruises, travels and activities together. All of these things epitomize his love of family and friends, his love of life, and his desire to contribute to the success of others.
He will be missed by many.
Stu McDonald
Major-General (Retired)