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IAN BELL Obituary pic

IAN BELL

Born: Sep 07, 1938

Date of Passing: Nov 23, 2015

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IAN BELL It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ian Bell on Monday, November 23, 2015. Ian was the much loved husband, of 50 years, to Jennifer, as well as a father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by Jennifer, their daughter Alyson (Jay) Mitchosky, granddaughter Lauren, and his sister Heather and family in Bristol, England. Ian was born September 7, 1938 in China and then moved to India until he was seven years of age, at which time he moved with his father and sister to Cardiff, Wales returning to the family home. He began boarding school in Ireland and went on to attend Trent College in England. While at school he participated in rugby, squash, field hockey and track and field. In 1958 he was a member of the Welsh AAA Championship record breaking relay team. After college, he served in the Black Watch as Second Lieutenant in Edinburgh and Cyprus for his National Service. While in the Black Watch he captained the rugby team. On completion of service, he joined Esso Petroleum in Wales and married Jennifer in 1965. Ian and Jennifer immigrated to Canada in 1968 and made Winnipeg their home where he first worked for Texaco Canada, then Philips Electronics followed by Investors Group, as a Certified Financial Planner, until he retired in 2002. Upon arriving in Winnipeg, he joined the Winnipeg Squash and Racquet Club where he has been a member ever since. He was proud of numerous championships including three Manitoba Opens, four Manitoba Closed, four Club Singles and the Canadian Seniors in 1994. The Squash Club has been a source of much more than sport and fitness for Ian with many long held friendships and stories of the guys' who meant more to him than they will ever know. Ian joined the Manitoba field hockey team, 1968 to 1975, and played in eight Canadian National tournaments, two years as team Captain. Also a member of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, he was an avid golfer and loved his time on the course with friends. Ian was enjoying retirement with time split between the squash club, golf club, family, friends and travel. His granddaughter Lauren brought him great happiness and pride through watching her grow up and seeing her play various sports just like her Grandpa. He enjoyed the camaraderie of Country Villas and his friends there with many fun times at social events in the Clubhouse. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Seven Oaks Hospital for their care and support in the last few weeks. Cremation has taken place and a funeral service celebrating Ian's life will held on Tuesday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m. in the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com
Publish Date: Nov 28, 2015

IAN BELL It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Ian Bell on Monday, November 23, 2015, at Seven Oaks Hospital, at the age of 77 years. In keeping with Ian's wishes, cremation has taken place and a funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street. A longer obituary will follow in Saturday's edition. E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 204-253-5086
Publish Date: Nov 25, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2015

Condolences & Memories (15 entries)

  • I just learned of Ian's passing. I met Ian as a member of the squash club years ago and enjoyed his sincere pleasure of conversation and story telling. His passion for sport and keeping fit was admirable. I will miss our locker room chats and ribbing...a true gentleman - Posted by: Drew Brueckner (Friend) on: Dec 23, 2015

  • Jennifer we were so shocked to hear of Ian's untimely passing. We did think all was going well with treatments. How sad that he should be taken from you so quickly. So sorry for your great loss. Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. Tony & Maddy Hickaway - Posted by: Tony & Maddy (Friends) on: Dec 02, 2015

  • As we go through life, occasionally we are blessed to meet truly wonderful people - Ian was that kind of man. At the gym, he was inspirational! Never one to miss a work out, and always ready to share his fitness knowledge - having him explain Tabata to me - that was Ian… In my mind, Ian had figured it out. Not one to collect possessions - he choose to collect something far more valuable - relationships with family and friends. For that reason, he invested his time in conversation...that was his gift to you. To be on the receiving end, was to know that he truly cared. - Posted by: Cory (Friend) on: Nov 29, 2015

  • My condolences to Alyson and her family. - Posted by: Elizabeth French (Friend) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Ian will be missed at the club. He was always smiling. He shared his love of squash and fitness with me for many years,, most recently giving me workout advice and routines that I continue to use every day. A fine man with a truly big heart. My deepest sympathies to Ian's family. - Posted by: Doug Edmond (Friend at squash club) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Ian will be missed at the club. He was always smiling. He shared his love of squash and fitness with me for many years,, most recently giving me workout advice and routines that I continue to use every day. A fine man with a truly big heart. My deepest sympathies to Ian's family. - Posted by: Doug Edmond (Friend at squash club) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Shocked at the sad news of my brother Ian's untimely death. Will cling onto memories of our childhood and the holidays together in Mexico and Cuba in recent years. Will miss you Ian, Goodnight and God bless. Heather and Gerry - Posted by: Heather (Sister) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Will always cherish the memories I hold of my trip to Canada, Uncle Ian's sense of humour and laugh. Huge hugs Auntie Jennifer, Alyson, Jay and Lauren. We are thinking of you all and wishing we were nearby xxxx - Posted by: Sharon (Niece) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • I first met Ian back in 1968, when he and my late husband, Bob, worked at Texaco Canada and re-connected with Ian and Jennifer in 2002 as neighbours at the Country Villas, where he will be sadly missed. My sincere condolences to Jennifer and family. - Posted by: Vivian Dayment (Friend) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Our deepest condolences, Jennifer, Alyson, Jay and Lauren. May happy memories of your loved one sustain you during these most difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Len and Vicki Lazaruk (Friends) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Our sincere sympathy to you & your family, Jennifer. Merlin played field hockey with Ian in the `70`s. Those were good times--wonderful memories. Merlin & Gloria Materi - Posted by: Gloria Materi (Friend) on: Nov 28, 2015

  • Ian was a very positive fellow - I always looked forward to running into him at the Squash Club. He really had a gift for making you feel good! He will be missed. - Posted by: Karl (friend) on: Nov 27, 2015

  • I worked many years with Ian at Investors Group. His witty sarcastic sense of humour was always a highlight with people. He was also very much a Father figure to me. The world has lost a great human being and Heaven has just inherited him. Rest in peace my friend. - Posted by: Doug Warkentin (Colleague) on: Nov 26, 2015

  • Ian was the nicest man you'd care to meet. If you ever wanted to feel good about yourself, but be twenty minutes late to an appointment, you just had to bump into Ian at the end of your workout or squash match. He will be missed by all of us at the Squash Club. - Posted by: David (Friend) on: Nov 26, 2015

  • Ian will be remembered at the squash club as a person who was always positive, always helpful and always had a friendly word to say. He'll be missed on the courts, in the gym and at the round table by all his friends in the bunker. - Posted by: Robb Miles (Friend) on: Nov 25, 2015

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