Ian was born in Barnhurst, England February 6, 1949 to Robert and Winifred Cook, both deceased. He was also pre-deceased by his nephew David Jeanneault, who he loved like a son. Ian is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynn, his sister Susan Cook of Arundel, England, as well as in-law brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Ian was quite the athlete in his school years, a competitive swimmer and skier. He went to university at King’s College, London taking biochemistry, and told funny stories about experiments with fruit flies. He worked in a bakery during the summer, probably why he was never keen on sandwiches. In the early seventies, Ian moved to Halifax and attended Nova Scotia Tech for his Masters of Architecture. He practiced in that field for the rest of his career.
In 1981, serendipity brought Ian to Edmonton to seek work and he met Lynn. It was love at first sight and they were together from that day forward.
Ian spent several years working in Edmonton, including the Pediatrics Clinic at the new Walter Mackenzie Centre. The then Chair of the department said the clinic was not functional until “that Englishman” came to fix it. He was a great problem solver and consensus builder throughout his career. In 1995, Ian heard the call of the North, and went to Cambridge Bay in what is now Nunavut to become a project officer for the government. He fell in love with the Arctic and was delighted to contribute to building schools and health care centres for the people of the North. He always smiled when he talked about getting the fish logo on the school in Taloyoak.
After a year, he convinced Lynn to join him and they spent 10 very happy and fulfilling years in Yellowknife. He continued as a project officer for the government and worked on many projects throughout the territory, visiting all but two communities. He loved living in Yellowknife – where else could you cook for charity in an alley, wash bikes for Rotary and be the person who directed the Canada Day Parade lineup.
Ian was an artist. A running joke was that as an architect, he must be handy with tools. Crayons, yes, hammer not so much. His airbrush art was amazing. He was an avid reader and his nose was often in a book, usually something esoteric about architecture. And he knew every member of every 1960’s rock and roll band. Both Ian and Lynn loved to travel and went to many interested places around the world.
Ian was a kind and gentle man, introverted and shy with strangers but warm and friendly with his family, friends and colleagues. He had a gift of bringing out the best in others, never seeking praise for himself, always seeking the best for other people and his projects.
He was very much loved by Lynn and his in-law family, and his sister Sue. We miss him so much.
At Ian’s request, no memorial service will be held. If you would like to honor his memory, donations may be made to the Edmonton Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
Peace, peace, peace
The gift of Christ is peace.
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