Obituary for Ian Alexander Stewart
Ian was our Dad - romantic husband, supportive father, playful Poppa, keen bargain hunter, & renovator. He died in his sleep in North Vancouver , aged 87, December 18, 2023.
Some happiest days were the nearly 40 years at Eagleridge, West Vancouver, where the basement workshop overflowed with antique tools, rings of keys to unknown locks, and locks without keys. He excelled in restoring furniture, old lamps and fixtures, & stonework.
He could make a mean stuffed pepper, and eat his weight in Janet’s lacy “chocolate chipples“- if they weren’t well enough hidden.
Treasure was surely just around the corner and he sifted thru innumerable yard & estate sales, antique shops and auctions, Janet ever nearby trying to curb his enthusiasm. He couldn’t resist sharing the loot and pressed many unique gifts upon unsuspecting hosts or guests.
Behind the wheel Dad was indefatigable pilot to Janet’s Michelin map reading navigation.They crisscrossed Europe several times, and Israel,Morocco, & Ireland,too. In latter years they flew and railed in Russia, Argentina ,& Brazil. They took one cruise to Alaska, Korea & Japan. And only one tour - a back roads one to England, Wales & Scotland. Fittingly, their last trip together was to Paris, where they had honeymooned.
Dad loved books and once bought 30 linear feet of 8inch books for an odd bookshelf.The old Everyman Series fit the bill and Dad read them all from Mungo Park's adventures to Samuel Pepys Diary. He read and reread Twain, Dickens and Robertson Davies, whom he felt was under appreciated.
Poppa to 6 grandkids, they were a highlight in his life. If wealth can be measured in ice cream scoops, folk songs on the banjo, shared piano benches, dramatic story readings, & Blackberry pickings, his descendants are beyond rich.
Janet, his loved and loving wife and constant caregiver and advocate in latter years, was his North Star, he was her rock. They quietly celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary 4 days before his death, and some cold beer and Jan’s homemade Transylvanian stew went down well and prompted that remarkable wide smile.
We as a family are grateful for our time with, and the times of, a fun, patient & caring husband, Dad, & Poppa.
Some happiest days were the nearly 40 years at Eagleridge, West Vancouver, where the basement workshop overflowed with antique tools, rings of keys to unknown locks, and locks without keys. He excelled in restoring furniture, old lamps and fixtures, & stonework.
He could make a mean stuffed pepper, and eat his weight in Janet’s lacy “chocolate chipples“- if they weren’t well enough hidden.
Treasure was surely just around the corner and he sifted thru innumerable yard & estate sales, antique shops and auctions, Janet ever nearby trying to curb his enthusiasm. He couldn’t resist sharing the loot and pressed many unique gifts upon unsuspecting hosts or guests.
Behind the wheel Dad was indefatigable pilot to Janet’s Michelin map reading navigation.They crisscrossed Europe several times, and Israel,Morocco, & Ireland,too. In latter years they flew and railed in Russia, Argentina ,& Brazil. They took one cruise to Alaska, Korea & Japan. And only one tour - a back roads one to England, Wales & Scotland. Fittingly, their last trip together was to Paris, where they had honeymooned.
Dad loved books and once bought 30 linear feet of 8inch books for an odd bookshelf.The old Everyman Series fit the bill and Dad read them all from Mungo Park's adventures to Samuel Pepys Diary. He read and reread Twain, Dickens and Robertson Davies, whom he felt was under appreciated.
Poppa to 6 grandkids, they were a highlight in his life. If wealth can be measured in ice cream scoops, folk songs on the banjo, shared piano benches, dramatic story readings, & Blackberry pickings, his descendants are beyond rich.
Janet, his loved and loving wife and constant caregiver and advocate in latter years, was his North Star, he was her rock. They quietly celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary 4 days before his death, and some cold beer and Jan’s homemade Transylvanian stew went down well and prompted that remarkable wide smile.
We as a family are grateful for our time with, and the times of, a fun, patient & caring husband, Dad, & Poppa.