Nancy
Thinking of you as the anniversary of Ian's death approaches. Hope you are keeping well. Pat and Peg

My dearest angel -- you lit the lives of so many. Love always.

Nancy:  I was very sorry to hear late Thursday, February 28th, 2013 that Ian had passed away after a very courageous fifth and final battle with cancer.  I had been thinking of him and you off and on all day, and wanted to check in, but decided to call while walking home as I didn't want to leave it too late in the day with the time difference, so I was shocked to have called just after he had passed away, may he rest in peace.  

Ian was a great friend, a treasure to hold dear and near, regardless of where I was and was always happy to see me and listen to me, and provide succinct, concise, cutting but correct feedback at the best times, I will truly miss him, as we missed you both when you moved back to Ontario at Christmas.  You can choose your friends, but not your family and I was lucky that day in the spring of 1979, out in the trailers of ESSO Redwater that Ian chose me for a friend and 34 years later here we are.  Ian was the brother I never had, but wanted, Guy

From the time I first saw Ian in Grade 13, both of us in a new school in a new place (the sleepy German town of Lahr), he seemed to have a slyly humorous take on things. He viewed the world through the lens of music, literature and pop culture, playing with ideas and questioning received wisdom. He took on the role of Jesus in our high school production of Jesus Christ Superstar -- and gave a convincing performance -- probably because it amused him to do so, although I have no idea what he thought of the music. I remember him at 16 wearing long velvet scarves and beaded vests and floppy hats like some boho Brit rocker; and then after a trip to Morocco wandering around in a traditional hooded shepherd's robe. He was an artist of life.

Ian (and Nancy) has been a source of goodness and light in my life for years so it is hard to pick just one memory as my favorite. I remember going to the movies and Fringe shows and the dinners/drinks after when we would discuss what we have just seen. The last time I’ve spent time with Ian was last November, just before he and Nancy moved to Ontario. He was in wonderful spirits. We had some tea and great visit. He was a generous good soul who saw the best in people. I will miss him greatly. 

Nancy, I am sorry that Ian had to leave us so soon.  He was one of the nicest men I ever met.  Yours and Ian's hospitality during our holiday last summer was wonderful.  I will always be grateful that we had that special time together.  Love, Jude

We have lots of great memories of Uncle Ian.  When I was little we used to get so excited when Aunt Nancy & Uncle Ian were coming "home"!  The day they were to arrive we would wait at my Granny & Grandpa's house to welcome them when they came. He was always glad to have us when we made the trip to Alberta.  We had lots of fun while there in 2002 for a holiday and family reunion.  My husband not only shared the same name but also shared his love of Guinness!  This past summer my daughters, Mom & I were lucky to have spent our summer vacation visiting with him.  We were so happy to have him here in Ontario and we are so fortunate to have visited with him the number of times we did since December.
We will miss you Uncle Ian!
xoxo

I remember when Uncle Ian came to the fall fair with us and took a video of us on the dragon rollarcoaster!  We also had a lot of fun at his house when we visited him this past summer!  We will miss him, 

Love,
Julia & Madalynn 
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

I have memories of my cousin Ian and I running riot in a department store in Boston (I was about 2 he was about 5), almost drowning in Lake Erie with him and Sandy, my dad and his,and playing Beatles music in either Ottawa or Montreal (which had to be immediately  turned off when his Dad (Uncle Eddie ) came home from work).I have vivid and very fond memories of Christmas 1973 in Lahr, Germany. My 19 year old Canadian cousin and his friends seemed very cool to a 16 year old who had moved away from Canada 2 years before. He was more than happy to let me and my sister join in the fun.We laughed, we played bridge, we laughed, we went to night clubs, we laughed, we listened to music.We probably laughed the most with musical Christmas Crackers! I saw Ian in july. We both agreed that it was sad that living in different countries meant we hadn't seen more of each other over the years, but at least I have fond memories of my cousin Ian.

We are very sorry to hear about your loss. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies.

Dear Nancy, we were very sadden to hear about the passing of Ian. It was a great pleasure to have known Ian and to have shared our lives with him. We always remember seeing and talking to you both on the hill at the Folk Festival.
Our door is always open and hope to see you on your next trip to Edmonton. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

My life has been enriched having known and shared time with Uncle Ian.  Our conversations and thoughts will forever be in my memory. Rest my friend.

Our most vived memory of Ian is the last time we spent some time together.  Ian and Nancy came to our daughter Kendals wedding and spent a few days with us.  We did a little sightseeing.  I partcularly remember we did a tour of the Oriana, a new ocean going liner which had just been  commisioned.  Those few days together we shared wih his sense of fun and humour will always be a highlight of our memory. We are very proud to have been the Uncle and Aunt of such a lovely person.

How can we say goodbye to 30 years of shared Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving holidays? How can we say goodbye to 30 years of bridge, euchre, scrabble and rummicube? How can we say goodbye to 30 years of great music and conversations and laughs? And yet we must. But the greatest loss is the loss of Ian, the person. He was a funny, kind, intelligent and generous man. Most of all, he was a brave man. He never complained and any time I visited him in the last few months before his death, he still wanted to know how I was doing, how the job was going, how the "kids" were, etc. I don't know how he did it. Nancy, remember "smoker's face", "golfer's face" and ciphering? Remember how Ian's leg would go to sleep because he didn't want to move the cat ( a rather hefty cat) while she was sleeping on him? He did a lot of kind things for me too. He will be sadly missed. Nancy, Ian was lucky to have you; you really looked after him well. I'm really sorry for your loss - and ours. Jeanne (& Laura and Stefan)  

A soldier of the highest calibre. Thinking of you Nancy and family

Our favorite memories with you Ian are the endless January birthdays we three were involved in with our other Jan birthday friends. We will miss our visits but know that the memories we have will help us through this difficult time without you. We are honoured to have called you friend. Thanks Ian for being so patient and kind to teach us how to play Euchre, just have to work on the scoring ! Rest in Peace . Love Paul and Cathy

From Hay River to Welland to Edmonton, our journey together was brief.May you rest in peace Ian. Suz.

Nancy, I am so sorry to hear about Ian's passing.  My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. I pray that you will have strength to go on and find comfort. 
Blessings, Diane

Dear Nancy and Ian's family
We were saddened to hear of Ian's death . Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your lives. After reading the condolences Nancy , I wished I had of met Ian. I've never seen such great things said about anyone. God bless. Maybe we will see you some time as you have moved back to the area. Pat and Peg Graham

Christmas 1973, Lahr, Germany.  An uncustomary Carrigan family reunion.  I was 14 and was very curious to reconnect with my exotic older cousins, especially Ian, "the hippy", who was happily cavorting around Europe in a Westfalia.  His freewheeling reputation preceded him.  Well, he was great.  He didn't care that I was 5 years younger, he cheerfully included me in his kooky adventures around the town.  For a quiet 14 year old it was exhilarating.  Off we went with his friends to smokey cafes and dingy bars.  It was like being in a movie with Neil Young.  I was thrilled.  Years later when we both lived out West we reconnected and managed to see more of each other.  He was kind, and generous and always showed an interest in my family.  It was very touching to see his love for Nancy and his enjoyment of their life together in Edmonton.  Even last summer, when I saw him, he didn't dwell on his health, but seemed sincerely interested in what we were up to.  I will miss Ian, his free spiritedness and his buoyant enjoyment of life.  Nancy, Sandy and Sarah, I am so sorry for your loss.  
Love Michele, Justin, Natasha, Zack and Emily

I only knew Ian briefly from the time at Carleton University when Sandra and I attended. I recall his good nature and pleasantness each time we met... and it appears he carried it throughout life... no small task! Creation is vast and with so many mysteries to unravel. I commend Ian on his new journey of continuing discovery. 

Gord and I send our sincere condolences to Nancy and her family.

Gord and I feel we were truly blessed to have had Ian as our nephew, although his time with us was way to short. We were hoping with the move to Guelph we would have been able to spend more time together (but it was Not in Gods plan).
Ian was a true gentleman, quiet, generous and always caring.

REST IN PEACE IAN T’LL WE MEET AGAIN

Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy, and we ask God to give her the strength to cope in the coming days, weeks and years ahead. We also want her to remember she comes from a loving, caring family, who will be here to help support her through these very difficult times to-day, tomorrow and always.

God bless. Love Aunt Marg and Uncle Gord


I express my deepest condolences for the death of Ian Edward Carrigan, husband of Nancy Carrigan. This news has shocked me and my family. We would like to share this mourn and stay beside Nancy at this moment of great loss.

Sahina 
Edmonton, Alberta

We are all so sorry in our very big loss. Ian had a self-clarity you couldn't miss. He shared it often in gifts of music. You knew something was in there because it was from Ian. As ideas and observations. Always a man to keep thinking about after...   So very sorry at our loss. Love.  .   Barry.  .

Ian was a wonderful man and a great friend. He was kind, compassionate, generous, and always fun to be with. Even walking down the street with Ian was not just walking. It was singing, dancing, joking, laughing. 
He seemed to be fearless and that trait sometimes got both of us in trouble when we were younger. But being with Ian was never boring. Through all the time we spent together, I don't remember a dull moment, nor do I remember a single argument. 
And always with Ian there was music. He loved all kinds of music and loved to share his eclectic tastes with others. When we were kids he introduced me to much of the great music going on at the time. And in the last ten years I knew him he gave me more music than I could ever listen to. 
He was one of those kind of people that others naturally gravitate towards. He enjoyed people and they liked him right back. He loved literature and philosophy, and was always learning, always searching. 
The memories I have of Ian are some of the best of my life, whether skipping school together at Ashbury, or sharing a room at Humber College, or traipsing around Europe. We had a great time.
A couple of days before Ian died I wrote this to Sandra. "Ian has incredible strength and grace in adversity. Through all of this I have never once heard him complain. No matter what is happening with him, he always remains interested in the lives and problems of those he is with. I am not sure I would display his strength of character if our roles were reversed. I hope I would. What strikes me also is that no matter what, Ian still feels like Ian. No matter what is happening with his body, his spirit feels the same, and I quickly forget how he looks. He still feels like the kid I knew at Ashbury. Cancer may be destroying his body, but it hasn't touched his spirit.”
The last time I saw him, we talked about death and religion and what comes next. He seemed at peace. 
I am happy that Ian went peacefully at home with his life partner, rather than in some hospital surrounded by strangers, and I am thankful to Nancy for being such a tireless caregiver.
Goodbye, great friend. It was an honour to know you.  


We are all deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Ian. Who we all knew as a very easy going genuinely nice man, a real gentleman. Someone that we were proud that he was part of our connected family. We will all miss him. Our thoughts are with Nancy, Sandra and Sarah and hope your happy memories of him will sustain you through this difficult time.

I did not know Ian for a long time but he was a  great friend when I needed him.  He spent time with my late husband during his chemo sessions and for that I will be eternally grateful.  He loved Nancy and getting her home was his final gift to her.  I will miss him.

Ian was the happiest, most loving child ever. His intelligence, curiosity, and exuberance made our childhood interesting and fun. He carried those traits into adulthood. As a man he made love and understanding his first choice, never judging or disparaging anyone. Our best times were in Lahr, Germany where we both embraced "la joie de vivre." He was a great friend, as Rob and Bill will second, a supportive brother, loving uncle, and devoted husband. Ian will be terribly missed by Sarah and me but for his loving wife, Nancy, this is a loss of holocaust proportions. Nancy, thank you for sustaining courage and optimism for Ian through this battle. He was well loved.

OBITUARY

Ian Edward Carrigan

28 January, 1954 – 28 February, 2013

MacKinnon Family Funeral Home

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