Died suddenly and peacefully, surrounded by his family and the prayers of his friends, on December 26th, 2014, in the ICU of the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC.
Born in Toronto on May 21st, 1952, and raised in Montreal, Ian studied at McGill University, where he earned a BA, a Bachelor of Theology, and a Master of Divinity from the Presbyterian College. In 2010 he was recognised for his outstanding contributions to ministry and was conferred with a Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) from his alma mater.
Called Dr. Victor by his students, Rev. Ian by his parishioners, Ian by his friends and family, Dad by his kids, Papa by his grandson, and Don by telemarketers and the unscrupulous, he wore many hats and was as a mentor and friend to many.
Ian was ordained in Montreal in 1979, and he served as minister at churches in Duvernay, QC; Eckville, AB; Petrolia, ON; West Vancouver, BC; Ottawa, ON; and Victoria, BC, where he semi-retired in May of 2013. During his over thirty year ministry he also acted as a moderator in the presbyteries of Sarnia (ON), Westminster (BC), Vancouver Island (BC), and the Synod of British Columbia. He served on many national boards and committees, including as the Convenor of the Committee on Church Doctrine. He was a prolific writer and speaker, he was a contributing editor to the Presbyterian Record, wrote many feature articles and book reviews, penned weekly newspaper columns in both Alberta and Ontario (where he also hosted a radio show), and he twice received national writing awards from the Canadian Church Press Association, for Best Feature Article and Best Creative Writing. He told the best jokes. In 2013, he took up the post of Acting Director of Pastoral Studies at the Presbyterian College in Montreal, where he took tremendous joy in supporting students and helping to shape the life of the College and the Church.
He was madly in love with Cathy, his wife of nearly 40 years, with whom he shared a life of service. He adored his children, who inherited his bad jokes, vices, and thirst for justice. He was smitten with his grandson, who returned the feeling. He doted on his dog, whom he named Johann Sebastian Bark. He loved music, popcorn, books, hockey, TV, God, and a good fart joke, in no particular order. An intellectual who never made anyone feel inferior, a pastor with boundless compassion, a friend full of charm and laughter, a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather, and a nightmare to restaurant employees, he was an awesome person in all senses of the word. Ian had his own flaws, but it was all the better that he could relate to the most broken-hearted people with disarming and sincere love and empathy.
He leaves a gaping hole in the lives of his wife, Cathy (Victoria, BC); son Dan, daughter-in-law Jen, and grandson Matty (North Vancouver, BC); and daughters Rachel (Vancouver, BC) and Letha (Toronto, ON). Ian is also survived by his sister Maggie (Vancouver, BC) and many nieces and nephews in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.
We, his family, are grateful to the professional and caring staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, as well as to his friends and family for their innumerable prayers on his and our behalf.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 2nd, from 6pm to 8pm at McCall Bros., Johnson & Vancouver (1400 Vancouver Street, Victoria). A service of witness to the resurrection, in thanksgiving for his life, will be held at 2pm on Saturday, January 3rd, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria, BC (680 Courtney Street).
In lieu of flowers, we would be grateful for contributions to Presbyterian World Service & Development (50 Wynford Drive, Toronto, ON, M3C 1J7) and to the capital campaign of the Presbyterian College of Montreal (3495 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 2A8).
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com.
36 Responses
We were saddened to hear of Ian’s passing. We have great memories of our years together in Petrolia. We admired him for his years of ministry to his congregation . We appreciated his humour and his genuine friendship. Our thoughts are with Cathy and family.
The notice of Ian’s death is a surprise and a cause of sorrow. Our last meeting was at the funeral of Sheldon MacKenzie in Chilliwack two years ago. My sympathy is extended to Cathy and all the family.
Ian Wishart
What a sad surprise it was when our friends Grev and Shar Martin of Petrolia informed us of Ian’s death. I (Jim) was the minister of St. Paul’s United Church United Church for seven years and some of these overlapped Ian’s tenure at St. Andrew’s Church there. So, we came to know and appreciate Ian and Cathy and their children. Sharon and I are now in the process of organizing a huge number of family photos. We have come across a very cute picture of the three Victor children on our front step on Princess Street, all dressed in costume for Hallowe’en . Also we have a photo of Ian nailing spikes into planks at the Martin’s house the day “the boys of summer” (as we referred to ourselves on such occasions) gathered at the Martin’s place to help build their deck. We shall send these to Cathy, as they bring back warm memories of earlier times. His unique combination of intellect, imagination, empathy, active faith, wide-ranging interests and sense of humour made Ian what we call “a Prince of a Man.” God’s blessings upon Cathy and all family members, relatives and friends of this wonderful person. Jim and Sharon Phelps, Lindsay, Ontario.
Wow, will we miss him! Working through our new and dynamic strategic plan at Presbyterian College, Ian served our Board as a rock of wisdom, strength and conviction over the past two years. Facing down challenges one at a time, his support for, and encouragement of those around him proved Ian a natural leader and mentor. Please accept the condolences of our entire Board of Governors and please retain and perpetuate the Victor family spirit forever.
Debbie and I were so saddened to read in the Globe and Mail of Ian’s passing. We extend our sincerest condolences to you, Cathy and the extended family. Through Cursillo, here in Sarnia, we were blessed in getting to know the “Victor” family in so many ways – including fun, fellowship and our spiritual growth – this in the mid 1980’s. Ian was one of four spiritual leaders for these gatherings and what a difference their leadership brought to the community leaving a mark of never ending, life changing impacts……. something very special that to this day and beyond was and will be a glorious memory for us and more importantly a time lived that has shaped us to who we are today. Thank you God and thank you Ian!
God’s Blessings.
Being incredibly happy that I never called him Don, I pass on deepest condolences to all the family and friends. Ian had a rare gift of being easily comfortable and genuinely comforting. It is tough to get over the fact that he will not walk through our door again. I’ll never listen to Bruce Cockburn or Paul Simon again without thinking of Ian.
And where are we going to get out jokes?
Terry
Our condolences to the Victor family; May you have many good memories. It’s so nice he has such a wonderful family to carry on his spirit
Letha, Rachel, and hilarious Victor family. Our heartfelt condolences to you all. What a shock and extra sad time of year. I was relieved and not surprised to hear of all the warmth and support you all received. Heaven is a little richer now and funnier too.
My deepest condolences to the Victors and to all who were blessed to know Ian. My memories of him and the entire Victor family are of those filled with laughter and love. He will always be with you all.
Lovely remembrance, guys! I personally wouldn’t have qualified “fart jokes” with the limiter “good”, having been present when a great many stinkers (in the figurative sense) were dropped; and while I can definitely understand “nightmare to restaurant employees”, I can only personally vouch for our breakfast restaurant meetings, pre-coffee. Then woe betide any hapless table tender who failed to produce the carafe and a voluminous mug by the time Ian’s jacket was draped over his chairback. I trust you already know the spirit in which these comments are being offered is entirely one of deep and abiding affection. You already know how much I am going to miss him and I regret that I’ll be missing the party, which I fully expect will set the benchmark for anyone in future seeking guidelines for holding a proper Irish wake. Cathy… hoist a Guinness for me, please. For my part, I am going to re-read John Gillespie Magee’s poem, “High Flight”, and send you all nothing but my deepest condolences and warmest wishes while I imagine Ian dancing among the “footless halls of air” just before he puts out his hand, and touches the face of God. Take care. Mike