Ian J. MacKay passed away peacefully on April 21,2017. Ian was brother to Sheila Foort; uncle to four nieces and great-uncle of two grandnieces. Ian was born in Vancouver in 1935 to parents Janet Johnstone MacKay and John Valentine MacKay. Ian attended school while living on Read Island, lived many years on Quadra Island and moved to Campbell River in 1968.
Ian was a very ambitious, kind, sensitive, hard-working, generous, thoughtful person. He had many interests and a vast knowledge of plants, trees, birds and growing vegetables. He also enjoyed scrapbooking and painting. Ian attended sewing classes and was very athletic; excelling at track and field as well as being an expert bowler. Those of us who knew Ian well, also knew his first love was music followed by cycling, woodcutting and colouring. Ian was passionate about socializing and fortunately due to his incredible memory, he could recite in detail many events of his life including the many cords of wood he cut; all with a hand saw, and the several thousands of miles he rode on his bicycle. He spoke frequently of adventures he had with his motor boats. Ian also spoke with great delight of the work he did growing up on the family homesteads and farms. Ian found joy in helping those close to him. He delivered mail and ran errands for many neighbours in his community in his younger days, and later kept up a paper route in Campbell River for several years. Ian also worked with staff at BC Hydro, cut grass for a period of time at the Haigbrown House, volunteered at the C.R. Community Centre and took great pride in learning to complete each and ever task and job very well.
Ian was an independent, unique person who grew to rely on the Community Living Program more so over the years; the staff and their other clients became the focal point of Ian’s daily life
The single more important thing Ian learned from his mother was to do everything to the best of his ability in any circumstance. Ian maintained this approach throughout his 81 years and continued to do so up to the time he passed away. He was well loved and admired and is missed by all of us who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the art and music department at Semi Independent Living Program on Greenwood Street in Campbell River.
Everyone who knew Ian is welcome to attend a bubble release at the Tyee Spit on Friday, April 28th from 12:00 to 1:00pm.