Ian was born in Chopwell, northern England and attended the HMS Conway School from 1941-43. Upon graduation, he joined the merchant marine and served as a navigation officer until 1947. Ian immediately enrolled in Durham University Medical School, graduating in 1953 and joining a rural practice in Rothbury, England.
In 1955, Ian married Anne Bittermann and they began their life of adventure by emigrating to Canada in 1956. Ian worked in primary care in Manitoba and Saskatchewan before settling in Madsen, northern Ontario. He continued to develop as an excellent clinician and he and Anne became involved in the community and started their family. They explored new opportunities in 1964 when they moved to Burlington, Ontario where Ian and Patrick Sweeney eventually formed the Caroline Medical Group. Ian continued to practice until he retired in 1992.
Anne and Ian had three children Jane (Richard (d.), Joelle), David (Brenda, Leighton, Madsen) and Mary (Steve, Riley, Adrian) and family was central to Ian’s life. He initiated fun family vacations skiing, camping and travelling back to England. Ian loved to swim and used to begin the day on holidays with a hearty, “last one in the lake is a rotten egg” while taking off in a mad dash down to dive off a local dock. He lived life big and you couldn’t help but be caught up in his enthusiasm.
Ian had a life of curiosity and learning. He loved his work as a general practitioner and looked for ways to try new things and improve care, both for individual patients and the health care system and social supports in the community. Ian loved to interact with new doctors and he was a great mentor for many practitioners. He conducted research with university partners into supports for seniors living alone and conducted groundbreaking research into the education and integration of nurse practitioners into primary care.
Service to the community was central to Ian’s sense of self. He was instrumental in founding an Anglican Church in Red Lake, was active in St. Christopher’s Anglican Church in Burlington and St. John the Divine in Victoria. Ian provided support to several senior projects and a local food box program. Ian wrote letters and lobbied governments to ensure those who needed supports would have them.
Ian had two other passions – golf and gardening. Twice-a-week golf games were enjoyed with friends at Burlington Golf and Country Club. Any free evenings included a garden wander to water plants and pull weeds. Weekends included many large landscaping projects over the years.
In 2014, Anne and Ian moved to Victoria; no small feat for two seniors! They both settled into their new west coast life with the same sense of openness and engagement that has marked their time together.
Ian’s health had been failing for the last few months. He was determined to enjoy Christmas as all the family was home and in true Ian form, he did what he said he would do. He loved his family and that love lives on.
In lieu of flowers, donations encouraged to The Church of St. John the Divine and Royal Jubilee Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018, 2 pm, with a visitation to be held prior at 1.15 pm at The Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
33 Responses
Condolences to Anne and your family
Ian was always so supportive to me and other younger doctors in Burlington
His combination of friendship, enthusiasm and integrity made him a leader in the community for many years
Dear Anne and Family, We were so sorry to hear Ian had died. He was a very special man to a lot of people. We always enjoyed his telling of ~the famous seaside place called Blackpool and Albert`s stick with the horses head handle.
With great love to the entire Hay family I send my condolences on the passing of my dear friend Ian. He was a true gentleman who enriched every life he encountered. His support of his family,friends and community was never more evident than in his work with the Halton Fresh Food Box. I will be forever changed because of my interactions with him. May he rest in peace knowing he made our world a better place. Love to you Anne and your family at this sad time.
Please accept our deepest condolences. Dr. Hay was our family doctor in Burlington. 50 years ago last May he helped deliver me. My mother, Rena, still says “he was the best doctor, and hasn’t seen a team as good as Dr. Hay & Dr. Sweeney since!”. I recently drove down Caroline street in Burlington thinking of Dr. Hay as I passed the old home where the office was prior to Caroline medical center.
Our condolences
Rena, Glenn & Lisa Steplock..
Dear Ann and family,
It was with deep sadness this morning when I read about Ian. He was such an enthusiastic, humorous and kind man with just a hint of a Geordie accent. After our years in Burlington it was great to reunite with you both in Ravenglass England. My love to you Ann and your family,. My sympathy and thoughts are with you in your loss
Kate Hunter
Ann and family
I was Ian’s accountant for 35 years and my wife and I were very close friends with the Hays. We golfed at BGCC and had many meals there also.
But Ian got us special Kosher Chicken pies made at his church just for us.
Rest In Peace Ian.
You were one amazing friend and we loved you dearly.
YASHER KOACH
Dear Anne and Family –
I Know that Gord, Winn and Jim would want me to send our love and thanks for your friendship and caring over so many years. Ian’s contribution to the community and the church in Red Lake will not be forgotten. Holding you in our prayers.
Marjorie
Anne, Jane, David and Mary:
He was one heck of a father to the end. He was a most humble man for all his many talents. He made a difference to our community in so many ways.
Not only was he our family Doctor for 40 odd years, but one of our oldest friends. Funny, you knew you could never get him in the office between 12-2 p.m. The reason was that he had a daily date with “The Nooners” at the YMCA to work out.
Somewhere up there he will be playing golf with my Dad..and Heaven will have more planting advice than they know how to deal with .
We had many times together, both happy and sad..but NEVER dull!
Rest in peace my friend.
Gail and John Kendall
Dear Mary and family,
Thank-you for sharing such a wonderful account of your father’s life. It is inspiring for us in that he touched so many lives while he was living life and will continue to inspire those he helped with his kindness. We never had the chance to meet your father, he is undoubtedly a true gem of this world.
Sending love and strength to your and your family.
Love,
Jack, Jo-Anne, Aidan, Willem and Thomas.
Dear Anne and family,
We are saddened to hear the news of Ian’s passing. We had the pleasure of knowing and working with him for more than twenty years. Ian was a true gentleman, and we will miss his enthusiasm, commitment and good humour.