Murdoch Ian Bain

Murdoch Ian Bain, 84, died on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at Manchester Memorial Hospital in Man-chester.

Surrounded by family and friends who could tell Ian what an influence he had been on their lives, the peaceful ending was dignified, tranquil, and loving. For this we thank the extraordinary staff at Man-chester Memorial Hospital.

Ian really died spiritually on Nov. 9 of this year when the love of his life, Elisabetta "Bettina" Mazzoni, passed suddenly at their home. Married for 57 years, they had breathed each other's breath and suddenly the ship's sails could not fill as once they had. The picture reflects the sentiment perfectly. They were one.

Ian was born in Maybole, Scotland, on Nov. 29, 1929, to James Robertson Bain and Margaret McColm McQuater. His father was a piper in World War I and (silly buggers as they were) led his 42nd Fusiliers Regiment over the mud-soaked fields at the battles of The Somme and Ypres. Ten thousand men died on the first day of battle at the Somme. JRR Tolkien was a colonel at that battle and many believe that the embodiment of absolute evil placed inside the one ring was Tolkien's horrific vision of what the new metal tanks with their indestructible wheels could do to humanity. James Robertson returned home, had a family, and volunteered for World War II. They said he was too old, but they could use him in the munitions factory in Irvine. The first week he was there, there was an accident and the entire hut blew up and Ian, who was 9 years old, had lost his father on Sept. 28, 1939. That's when he started smoking. Can you blame him? Ian continued school until he was 14 when it was of legal age to leave. While his older brother Jim had his hands full gently pushing V2 rockets off course with the wings of his Hurricane, Ian held odd jobs to support his Mum, delivering fish on his bicycle. He was surrounded by supporting family and they encouraged him to join The Boys Brigade where he excelled. He won all the medals available and received the King's medal (similar to an Eagle Scout ranking). He then became a mentor to the younger boys, teaching piping and drumming. His interests spread to body building and by his mid-20s he had that classic "V" shape and was attending night school to become a draughtsman. A body building friend had said there were two rough types who were picking on this pretty Italian girl who was working at the family owned ice cream shop called The Miramar Cafe in Troon. Could Ian help? Ian, dressed all in black, showing his rippled muscles, approached the two louts and said, "Say that to me." One made a move and Ian quickly had the lout face down, arm pinned to his back. "And don't come back," he said, and they never did. That's how Ian met Bettina, in a classical way, a mythological way, a timeless way, she had met her knight. Ian continued at school, got his degree, and was married May 16, 1956. It was a Wednesday. All their friends came. You got time off for a marriage in those days. In 1950, he was called up for the Korea Conflict and was stationed at Aldershot, England, in the Air-Sea rescue division. On Feb. 6, 1952, King George IV died and all flags were lowered to half-mast. The radio on the boat was broken, so Ian and the crew did not know. A senior officer came around eventually and gave them "heck." He did not want to hear their excuses and they were put on probation. Such is the state of a nation in times of distress. That stuck with Ian. In 1957 their son Mark was born. Ian was moving through the work ranks, but times were tough. Two years was spent in Halifax, England, where he'd have to drive the 400 miles to see his family. In 1964 the family moved to Coleraine, Northern Ireland, to secure a manager position with Standard Telephone and cable. After that he worked for the Guinness Brewing Co. in Belfast and perfected the engineering mechanics for the "slow-pour" that gives every Guinness that frothy head. Belfast was not a good place to be in 1969-70. "The Troubles" were raging and several events occurred, which directly affected the family's safety, and it was decided to immigrate to America, to Manchester. They bought their house in 1970 and lived there ever since. After a few rocky starts, in 1972, Ian found Gerber Scientific in South Windsor and was the manufacturing manager there until he retired with the ruby pin in 1994 at age 65. Many dear work buddies would visit him and take him out to lunch. True friends. In the 70s, Bettina had joined the Connecticut Opera as a soprano, and Ian would drive her down for the rehearsals in Hartford. They would come home exhausted but laughing and gushing with stories. There was theatre within theatre. In one opera, Beverly Sills sings a moving aria and the tenor she's singing about was deliberately spitting seeds into a pot that echoed a loud distracting ping. The next night the "deceased" tenor has to have candles placed next to his head in reverence. Ms. Sills placed the candles so close to his head that he was pinned. Then, Ms. Sills has to place a large metal cross on her deceased lover. She stood at her full height and dropped the huge cross on the fellow's chest. For a dead character, his gasp was audible to the cast in the wings and they all knew who had won this round. These are the types of stories my Mom and Dad loved to share with friends and family again and again, and we loved listening to them again and again. Those moments will never be gone. Take joy and laughter where you can find it.

Ian and Bettina liked to travel to see family in Scotland, England, and Italy. Their son, Mark, went with them in 2001 and together we had an incredible, marvelous time. The sites, the smells, the family reunions, the emotion, the fulfillment: It was complete.

Dad will be returning home to Scotland next summer surrounded by family and old friends.

Ian is survived by his son, Mark, and his two sons, Malcolm and Duncan; also his brother, James Robertson Bain who is 91 and lives in Sussex, England. Also, there are many, many nephews and nieces in America, Scotland, England, Italy, and Australia who have been a source of strength to the family through these trying times. Ian's neighbors have been indescribably supportive and the family can't thank them enough. I especially want to thank Anne, who flew 3,000 miles to be with the family. Without her strength these words could not be written. Thank you my Guardian Angel.

Ian wanted the old Highland piping tune, "Black Bear," played at his funeral. It starts as a dirge, but then the tempo changes to reflect the lifting of the spirit to a new joyous realm. It will be done. God bless you, Dad. You are with the chorus of the angels now. Mom is in the soprano section waiting for you. Thirty-five days was too long to be apart.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10:15 a.m. from the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center St., Manchester with a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. at St. James Church, 896 Main St., Manchester, followed by burial in East Cemetery, Manchester.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, Dec. 20, from 6 8 p.m.

For online condolences please visit

www.tierneyfuneralhome.com