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Ian Preston
June 1, 1948 — October 23, 2024
IAN TAYLOR PRESTON
Born on June 1, 1948 in Edinburgh, Scotland; Ian died on October 23, 2024, in Saskatoon.
Ian Preston was the second child of six, born to doctors Margaret Taylor Brown and Kenneth Stewart Preston. The family moved frequently including subsequent residencies in Bradford, England, Edmonton, Rabbit Lake, Fort San (Fort Qu’Appelle), and Regina.
From childhood to end of life, Ian was an adventurer and a creative soul. Comments that amassed on Facebook following the news of his death consistently speak to his gentleness, his willingness to mentor, his kindness, and his artistic heart. His siblings have many tales to share wherein Ian emerges as a boy – driven by mischief, inquisitiveness, and playfulness – who roamed the prairie surrounding Fort Qu’Appelle and Fort San, accidently lighting prairie fires, jumping into gullies and looking at the dark prairie sky. This sense of adventure and creativity followed him into adulthood where he hung out of helicopters, stared down buffalo, went on arctic adventures, chased a herd of caribou with a Dene hunter, and crafted the most thoughtful artifacts, mementos and gifts for family and friends.
He began his art career at the University of Saskatchewan (Regina Campus), where he was mentored by the Regina Five, Jack Sures and most of all – Jean Oser – who sparked and nurtured Ian’s passion in film. With a desire to begin shooting film, Ian and school colleagues left university to start Buffalo Productions, a documentary film company and the Saskatchewan Filmpool in 1977. Years later he helped found the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association, now the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association (SMPIA, 1986), sitting on its first board of directors. His career in film spanned decades and some of his favourite projects included: Who Has Seen the Wind, Schizophrenia: A Changing World, The Hounds of Notre Dame, Air Wolf, Betrayed, Of Classrooms and Caribou, A Room Full of Men and the five-part series on Saskatchewan artists called Expressions. Along the way he met his wife Carmen Milenkovic on The Hounds of Notre Dame, unlike many film couples they lasted for over 40 years.
Ian was a loving father and husband. Married in 1982, Ian brought Meg into the family, with Cosanna and Devin joining later. His creativity, inquisitiveness, and playfulness followed him into these roles whether it was helping his kids with school video projects, introducing the family to computer games and the internet, teaching everyone pool and snooker, or throwing boiling water in the air in -40 degrees. He loved Pink Floyd and Roger Waters and was particularly thrilled when Devin treated him to two of those concerts.
Our lovely and gentle Ian is predeceased by his parents and his brother Alistair. He leaves behind: Carmen Milenkovic (spouse); daughters Meg Preston and Cosanna Preston Idedia (Lucky Idedia); son Devin Preston; grandchildren Alex, Sam and Osaze; siblings Ross, Niall, Catherine, and Don; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends who will dearly miss him.
Ian died on October 23, 2024 in the palliative ward of St. Paul’s Hospital. He was surrounded by family and dear friends who held him close, told stories and played music during the vigil.
We will gather to remember Ian at Wanuskewin in the Beaver-Deer room on Sunday December 1, 2024. The memorial program will begin at 1:30PM followed by a reception and exhibit of Ian’s photography in the same room. Please join us to shed tears and share stories.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Saskatchewan Craft Council or the Saskatoon Community Clinic Foundation. When donating, please indicate that it is in memory of Ian Preston.
2024
Death notice for the town of: Saskatoon, Province: Saskatchewan
death notice Ian Preston 2024
obituaries notice Ian Preston 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ian Preston 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.