ROBERT IAN MORTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROBERT IAN MORTON On Thursday, March 7, 2002, Ian Morton died at the age of 71 in the presence of those who loved him beyond measure. He is survived and deeply mourned by his wife Audrey; his three children, Kimberley, David and Jeffrey; his two daughters-in-law, Patricia and Mary, whom he loved as his own; and his six grandchildren, Sarah, Evan, Andrea, Alexander, Stephen and Melissa - who brought him such joy. His brothers, William and his wife Joan Morton of Winnipeg and Patrick Vokes of Calgary will mourn the loss of their oldest brother. Ian was predeceased by his father Robert Morton; his stepfather Fred Vokes and his mother Kathleen Vokes. He was born February 8, 1931 in Winnipeg and except for a brief stay in Calgary had lived in this city for his entire life. In September 1952, he married Audrey McIntosh and in September of this year they would have celebrated their 50th anniversary. In 1991, Ian enjoyed the true blessing of retirement: lakefront summers at their Matlock cottage he had named "Two Sheds", an obscure reference to a Monty Python skit. As he so often said: "If this isnt heaven, I can see it from here". In his earlier years, following his graduation from Kelvin High School in 1948, he pursued his studies at the Winnipeg School of Art. Beginning an advertising and public relations career in 1950, he was employed with Cockfield Brown and, later, McKim Advertising as Manager, and BACM Industries as Advertising and Public Relations Manager. In 1991, he retired from Foster Advertising as Vice-President and Client Services Director. Following his retirement he continued his liaison with the advertising industry for a few years as a consultant. Ian was a person who believed that what you take from your community, you are obligated to return in full. He served in many positions in various organizations: as president of the United Way of Winnipeg; as a vice-president of the Winnipeg Football Club; as a member of the board of management, Wildlife Foundation of Manitoba; on the board of directors of the Kiwanis Club of Winnipeg; and served as a member of the Senior Council to the Board of the Fort Whyte Centre. He has also served on the boards of directors of the Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery and devoted many hours to political involvement in those candidates in whom he believed. He was a former member of the Sales and Advertising Club of Winnipeg, the Sales and Marketing Executives, the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Advertising Agency Association of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Press Club, the Winnipeg Squash Club, the Manitoba Club, the Bid Preparation Committee of the 1999 Winnipeg Pan Am Games Committee and as a member of the Marketing Committee of The Wellness Centre of the Seven Oaks General Hospital. He was a member of the St. Andrews Society of Winnipeg since 1974 and served as President in 1992-1993. Ian was a member of the Board of Management of the Grace General Hospital and Golden West Centennial Lodge for several years and, in June 2001, began a three-year term as Chairman of the Board, a position that he was unable to fulfil following a diagnosis of brain cancer. His inability to serve was one of the greatest regrets of his life. He would have been so proud to know that at his death, the flag at Grace Hospital was lowered to half mast in recognition of his contribution. A memorial service will be held at St. Lukes Anglican Church, 130 Nassau N. (at Stradbrook) on Monday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. R.L. Brownlie officiating. Ians family suggests that in lieu of flowers, if you so desire, he would be honoured by a donation in his name to the Grace Hospital Foundation whose current project is the establishment of a free-standing palliative care unit on the hospital grounds; or, alternatively, to the St. Boniface Hospital whose staff were so good to him in his final days. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 09, 2002