Ian Robert Arbuckle

It is with profound sadness that our family advises that Ian passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 22nd, 2023. Ian was born in Vancouver and pre-deceased by his parents Marion Elizabeth Arbuckle (nee Boultbee), Dr. John William Arbuckle and his sister Joan Arbuckle.

Ian attended Magee High School and made a number of lifelong friends whom he kept in close contact with throughout the years. Ian was an avid sportsman and embraced all types of sport but Rugby and Skiing were his clear favourites. Ian was a member of the Kats Rugby Club for many years and one of his fondest memories was a team tour to play Rugby in Australia. Ian’s skiing career started very young as his father was part of the first medical ski patrol in the early days of the development of Whistler. After Dr. Arbuckle passed away, Ian reminisced often about the time he spent with very good family friends in their home and skiing at Whistler every winter until he was well into his 20’s.

While at UBC Ian pursued a degree in Psychology and became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity where he was an active member and Alumni. Ian fully embraced the fraternity experience and developed very close friendships that lasted a lifetime. After UBC, Ian pursued his CGA Accounting designation and worked with several firms over the years and finally with the David Suzuki Foundation where he was committed to the critical work that the Foundation does in support of our environment.

While at University, Ian met the love of his life, Cheryl Neal, and they were married in 1991.

Ian and Cheryl settled in North Vancouver and started their family with two daughters - Madison and Caitlin who were truly his pride and joy. Ian embraced fatherhood and became an active part of their lives – from PAC Treasurer, to Soccer / Field Hockey coach to math tutor. The Arbuckle home was always available for impromptu meetings or year-end wrap up parties with drinks and a delicious dinner included – prepared by Chef Ian! Completing the family included the addition of Quinn – Ian was her person and they enjoyed hiking thousands of kilometres through the woods in Lynn Valley. As the girls progressed to college, Ian continued to love and support them in any way he could – including pick-up and drop off at school in Calgary and Indiana and enthusiastic fan on and off the field. Some of the fondest memories for Madison and Caitlin include road trips with their Dad to/from Calgary and enroute home from Indiana after graduation.

Ian shared with his family his love of cooking, skiing and the family cabin on Pasley Island. Both Madison and Caitlin looked forward to their ski days with their Dad and Uncle John – at Whistler and later at Apex. The last time they all skied together was appropriately the family day weekend in February 2023 and according to Ian it was the BEST day. Throughout their life together Cheryl and Ian spent much of their spare time on Pasley sharing their love of the Island with family and good friends. We were also lucky enough to have the BEST island neighbors who Ian loved to enjoy a glass of wine with and share the history of the Island and “fix it” advice as one of the long-time “Cabin Dads”. Ian spent many years with his brothers John and Peter at Pasley learning and maintaining the cabin – a labor of love for sure. Pasley was most definitely Ian’s favorite place on earth and his love for the Island was contagious for Cheryl, Madison and Caitlin.

As time permitted, Cheryl and Ian made plans to travel the world and enjoyed trips to Costa Rica, Dubai, Egypt and more recently Italy with the amazing travel partners, followed by Croatia and many trips to Mexico and Hawaii with their girls. More was planned but sadly Ian’s life was cut short after a courageous battle with Kidney Cancer. We would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses at BCCA for the excellent medical care as well as the Doctors and Nurses at Lion’s Gate Hospital and North Shore Hospice for the amazing care, kindness and support.

We cannot imagine a life without Ian, but we will do our best to honour his love of family and friends, good food, conquering the BEST ski runs, enjoying a flat calm day in the boat and a glass of good red wine on the deck at his favorite place on earth.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ian’s memory to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation – Hospice and Palliative Care - North Shore Hospice and Palliative Care (https://lghfoundation.com/tribute-donation/).

We love and miss you Ian!

Cheryl, Madison and Caitlin