Obituary of Ian Duncan McKillop
Ian Duncan McKillop
August 27, 1933 – March 24, 2020
Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 24th in London, Ontario after a
lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. He was predeceased by his wife, E. Ann
McKillop (nee Carmichael), in 2017 and by his parents Russell McKillop &
Jessica McKillop (nee Smith). Ian will be deeply missed by his sister,
Marilyn Clement (nee McKillop), and his children Christena (Michael) and
Dougald (Susan). To his grandchildren, Duncan, Arden, Claire and Matthew,
he was their ‘Gramps’ and will always hold a special place in their
hearts. Ian will be greatly missed by his nephew Duncan Hare (Belinda),
nieces Jessica Hare (Shelley) and Victoria Kennedy (Howard) as well as
many beloved nephews and nieces from the Hare and Carmichael families.
Ian will be missed by all who knew him. His quick humour, firm handshake,
sportsmanship and devotion to family & friends lit up the room. Born in
St. Thomas, Ontario, his early years were shaped by his schooling at St.
Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario. It was there he developed a passion
for athletics. He obtained his B.A. from then Assumption College, now
University of Windsor. Shortly thereafter, he met Ann – following a brief
courtship, they were married and settled in London, Ontario; married for
59 years! Ian embraced Ann’s dedication to heritage preservation, joining
her in efforts to save the Labatt Buildings and volunteer at the Annual
Geranium Heritage House Tour which has showcased heritage properties in
London for over 40 years.
As a businessman, Ian found success in a long and rewarding sales career.
He spent his first years after graduation honing his people and sales
skills with Bathurst Containers. He then purchased W H Graham, a London
based safety product supplier to industry. By the mid 1970’s change came
with the sale of W H Graham and an opportunity to be a manufacturers agent
for 3 companies, the primary one being The Huck Glove Co. of Kitchener,
Ontario. Ian would remain in this role until retirement.
Athletics played an important role in Ian’s life, from football, golf,
running, sailing and squash. He kept fit and was a keen competitor. Ian
loved the camaraderie that came with competition. Amongst his many
accomplishments, in 1950 he won the Chatham Golf Club Junior and Open Club
Championships. He introduced both of his children to dinghy sailing and
later to keelboat racing. Ian’s boats raced out of the Bayfield Yacht
Club, of which he would become commodore. His C&C 27, Sheer Madness, won
numerous regatta pennants and was awarded the Bayfield Yacht Club Boat of
the Year in 1985. Watching Christena and Dougald race Sheer Madness in the
MORC Internationals 1985 made him incredibly proud. Ian enjoyed the
GoodLife club in London and the camaraderie of the annual London Relay For
Life Canadian Cancer charity run. One of his favorite places was the
London Squash & Fitness Club where he was a member for many years.
Ian took a keen interest in his four grandchildren and celebrated their
successes! Duncan, Arden, Claire and Matthew excel in many sports from
squash to soccer, basketball, swimming, ski racing and sailing. He was a
devoted fan and attended many meets, matches, and events to cheer them on,
often being one of the loudest in the stands!
In 1973, Anne and Ian purchased a lakefront cottage on Lake Huron near
Bayfield, Ontario. The cottage became their passion and favourite place to
be from May through October. Watching the ever-changing weather on Lake
Huron from the dramatic summer storms to peaceful sunsets gave them both
much pleasure. Hosting and entertaining family and friends was a long
tradition and those of us who were «at the cottage» have a rich treasure
trove of happy memories and laughter. Ian’s warm and light-hearted
personality made spending time with him a pleasure for family and friends.
His sense of humour was legendary as was his love of a good party
featuring single malt scotch. Family and friends would like to think that
Ann and Ian are together again at the cottage enjoying a 5 o’clock
cocktail on the porch!
Cremation has taken place and given the recent COVID19 pandemic, service
details will be announced at a later date. Those wishing to make
donations in memory of Ian are asked to consider the E. Ann & Ian D.
McKillop Architectural Conservancy Fund held at London Community
Foundation. You can make your donation online at: bit.ly/2WLqSbW
or by cheque, payable to London Community Foundation c/o McKillop Fund.
(John T. Donohue Funeral Home)
1933 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ian
Duncan
McKillop 1933 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:London, Province: Ontario