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IAN TURNBULL
Ian was born on July 1, 1935. He met Aleda, the love of his life, in Augustine Church in Winnipeg and they were married in 1961. They celebrated more than 60 wedding anniversaries, one of them crossing the Atlantic from New York to Southampton on the Queen Mary. They had two children, Laurel and Robert, and four grandchildren, Brendan, Sean, Julius, and Sophia. For Ian and Aleda, the birth of their children and then of four grandchildren were wonderous events.
Dad believed an active life was a happy life. He loved many sports and enjoyed most those that took him outside. Skiing was his passion. His first downhill skis were given him by his parents at Christmas the year he was 12 and he downhill skied from then until he was 82.
Staying fit became essential for Dad when he became asthmatic at the age of 30. He turned up his fitness regimen training for marathons and then running four. He added roller blading and sculling to his conditioning activities. In the 1970s, he cycled to work and in the 1990s, on the roads and trails of Nepal, New Zealand, southern France and Tuscany. In Victoria, Dad and Mum joined the Cross Canada Cycle Society to enjoy the sport with members of that club.
Sports were not his only interests. All his life he enjoyed reading, acquiring hundreds of books for his library and discussing books with friends. From his university days, until nearly 90 he was a member of many book clubs. He loved music and was an audiophile. In his 70s, he bought a grand piano and learned to play it.
He loved to travel in Canada from sea to sea and internationally. Ian and Aleda travelled extensively in Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and China. They experienced some of the wonders of the world diving on the Great Barrier Reef, trekking above 15,000 feet toward Everest, and marveling at the sight of the Taj Mahal. Most of all, he loved the view on a bright blue sky day from the tops of the many mountains he skied.
Dad often said that he had lived through a golden age. He was thankful to be born and to live in Canada where he could enjoy life with family and friends. His life was filled with delight at the world.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 28, 2026
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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I first met Aleda and Ian when my bf, now husband, and I were students at UofM in the 1960’s. Our friendship and common beliefs have been an inspiration and joy in our lives. Thank you. - Posted by: Wilma Hewitson Parasiuk (Friend) on: Jan 28, 2026
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I worked at Eatons in the early 70's and sat with Ian in the cafeteria at breaks. I always remember him having a tea bag in his cup of water and continually pressing it with the back of his spoon in an attempt to make the tea stronger. A gentleman in every sense of the word. A good sense of English humour made the break most enjoyable. - Posted by: Joe Maguire (Friend) on: Jan 28, 2026