30 Sep 1928 – 27 July 2026
Ian passed away peacefully at home on July 27th, surrounded by his family, at the age of 98. He was a devoted husband to Jill for 53 years. Ian was a loving father to Robert (Kim), John (Melinda) Downie, and Andrew and Helena (Laeeque) Debnam. He cherished his grandchildren Mackenzie, Aidan, Colin, and Jake. He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Kelly.
Born in Irlam, England in 1928 to Scottish parents, Ian faced the loss of both parents early on. He earned a history degree from the University of Leeds in 1950. His adventurous spirit took him to India from 1951 to 1956, where he worked as a shipping agent for the Pierce Leslie Shipping Company along the Malabar Coast. In 1957, Ian moved to Montreal and later found his true calling as an educator. He started teaching in Rainy River in 1959 before relocating to Burlington in 1962, where he became vice-principal at Burlington Central and Acton High Schools. A popular and charismatic teacher, he returned to the classroom as Head of Social Sciences at Lester B. Pearson High School after earning a Master of Education from OISE at the University of Toronto.
In Burlington, Ian rekindled his childhood love for theater. Some of his favorite roles included Cromwell in A Man for All Seasons-where he received a DDF nomination for Best Actor-Henry in The Lion in Winter (where he met Jill), How the Other Half Loves, and 13 Rue de L’amour.
After receiving a golden handshake in 1987, Ian took a leap into professional acting. Among his favorite roles were Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond (which he performed three times across three theaters), Buried Child by Sam Shepard at The Red Mill Theatre in Hamilton; Over the River and Through the Woods; Tuesdays with Morrie; and The Gin Game at Hamilton Players’ Guild.
On screen, Ian appeared in various well-known television shows and films like Murdoch Mysteries, The Rick Mercer Report, Anne with an E, Butterbox Babies, and The Glow. One highlight was acting alongside Peter O’Toole and Joan Plowright in Rock My World-Joan was actually his first leading lady when they were both kids! Many recognized him from those memorable TD Bank commercials featuring two grumpy old men back in the mid-2000s.
Besides acting, Ian had skills as a talented woodworker.
For over fifty years Ian and Jill lived around Hamilton/Burlington before moving to Kingston in 2023 to be nearer their daughter.
The family extends their gratitude to Kingston General Hospital as well as the nurses and PSWs at Windsor Retirement Residence’s Transitional Care Unit and Ontario Health At Home.
A private ceremony will take place later on.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ian’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society or The AFC (previously known as the Actors’ Fund of Canada).
Arrangements entrusted to The Robert J. Reid Funeral Home. Online book of condolences available at www. reidfuneralhome. com
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