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
Anne,
Sharon and I were so saddened to hear of Ian’s passing.You were two people I so enjoyed cooking with and will always recall, with great fondest, our times together in the kitchen at St. Christopher’s.
We have another connection that I am so pleased to share with you. I read of Ian’s early research into the value of nurse practitioners – Joshua’s wife, our youngest son who was married this summer, is working on her Masters in Nursing and upon graduation will also have her Nurse Practitioner’s Diploma.
Take care of yourself,Anne.
Our deepest sympathy, John and Sharon Aitken
jane,Joëlle and family
My condolences. I will remember Ian as a gentle, compassionate soul who was always interested in what you had to say. Whether it be photography, golf or the internet or really any subject, Ian loved to discuss it. I always looked forward to Anne and Ian’s visits to Ottawa. Rest In Peace Ian.
This is Richard and Joan Boesveld in Waterdown ON. We want to express our condolences to you Anne and to the family. Ian (Dr.Hay) was our family Dr. and gave us exceptional care. He delivered 3 of our 4 children and not only was our physician but also a friend. Ian demonstrated kindness and care in all his interactions with our family. Ian’s influence and interaction started much earlier when he was building his beloved garden on Crestwood Ct. and he hired young twins Henry and Richard (aka Dick) to help move soil, plant shrubbery, maintain lawn etc etc. From this early influence Henry has gone on to build a successful landscaping business and Richard to teaching and now in retirement full circle back to Garden maintenance. Thank-you Ian and Anne for those early lessons and those wonderful grilled cheese lunches in your kitchen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Anne, Jane, David, and Mary and families. With love and fond memories. Richard & Joan
Dear Anne and Family. I am so sorry to hear that Ian has died. He was very special to me and I will miss talking to him.
Dear Mary,
Although I did not meet Ian, I feel that I know him through the many fine qualities in you. I’m thinking of you and your family today as you gather to celebrate your Dad’s life and legacy, and wish you comfort and peace.
Love always, Barbara
Dear Jane
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Love
Katharine and Robert Slater
Dear Jane, Joelle and Family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father and grandfather. I hope the memories you made together wrap you like a warm blanket. You will feel your father’s love always. We are here for you if you need anything.
My sincere condolences to Anne, Jane, David, Mary and families. I am so sorry to hear of Ian’s death. He was an amazing man who excelled as a family physician, mentor to young physicians, researcher and primary care innovator. A man of many interests who was full of curiosity and who was always striving to improve the status quo. He was a wonderful person and it was a pleasure and a privilege to have worked with him.
Jim Kraemer
Ian was a mentor of legendary stature, to whom I owe so much including my first post as a family physician and the approach I learned from him to care for the whole person. My deepest condolences to Anne and the Hay family.
We have good memories of a quiet, dignified, family man: Ian you were very special. Our sincere condolences Anne to you and your family. You are in our prayers.
Barbara & Bill Tannyan
St. C’s