Ian Alexander SOUTAR

SOUTAR, Ian Alexander
1936 - 2016
Passed away peacefully at the MUHC Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal on Monday, March 21 at the age of 79 after a multi-year battle against multiple myeloma. Dearly beloved husband of Helgi Soutar (née Ulk) and cherished brother of David Keith Soutar. Loving father of James Soutar (Abby Lai), Adam Soutar (John David Rigsby), and Annabel Soutar (Alex Ivanovici). Dear grandfather of Alistair, Augustine, Ella and Beatrice. Predeceased by his father William Henderson Soutar and Mabel Soutar (née Catton). Ian also leaves behind his professional family at Pembroke Management and GBC Asset Management.
Ian was born on May 10, 1936 in Asbestos, Quebec and attended Bishop's College School in Lennoxville and McGill University (Class of '58, Mining Engineering). In 1958 he was awarded an Athlone Fellowship to study at the London School of Economics for one year.
Ian started his career in the investment business at the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Power Corporation and the Standard Life. In 1968 he co-founded Pembroke Management and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1988 to 2000. Under his leadership, Pembroke founded GBC Asset Management in 1988. Ian continued working at Pembroke as Chairman Emeritus and Partner right up until 2 weeks before his passing.
Ian earned his CFA in 1967. In his long career in the investment business he became known as one of Canada's top money managers. In 2013 he was given the Morningstar Career Achievement Award for investment management.
Along with his wife Helgi, Ian was a generous philanthropist. He made major gifts to the MUHC Capital Campaign, and to McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management and its Engineering Faculty. Other beneficiaries of Ian's generosity include The Study School, The Montreal Association for the Blind-Mackay Foundation and The John Dobson Foundation. Ian served on the Board of Governors at McGill University and in 2012 was presented with the McGill University Alumni Association's top honour – the Distinguished Service Award.
Ian also made important contributions to the community of Brome Lake where he spent his childhood summers. His many years of service to the Brome Lake Boating Club and the Knowlton Golf Club, as well as his involvement with the Brome Lake Land Foundation and the Brome Lake Conservation Association, reflected his deep commitment to local community, sports and environmental protection.
Ian was a passionate golfer and a long-time member of the Mt. Bruno and Knowlton Golf Clubs and of the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida. He was a risk-taker on the ski slopes and a keen fisherman.
Ian's favourite place to be was with his family at his beloved cottage on Brome Lake. Friends will fondly remember him relaxing in a deck chair on Friday evenings at sunset, a glass of wine in his hand after a hard week's work. It was at the lake that Ian demonstrated his true love and understanding of the great Canadian outdoors, regularly confounding family and friends with his fearless determination that included being the first one out skating on winter's early ice, and the first one to put in the dock each spring.
Ian was described by all who knew him as a fun-loving man of great integrity who remained humble despite his long list of professional and philanthropic achievements. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Chantal Séguin of the MUHC Hematology Department and the compassionate medical staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital Departments of Hematology and Oncology and in the Intensive Care Unit.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 29 at 2 p.m. at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, 3415 Redpath, corner Sherbrooke Street West (Please use Sherbrooke St. doors).
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: The MUHC Montreal General Hospital Foundation 1650, Cedar Avenue, E6-129, Montreal Quebec H3G 1A4 or online at www.mghfoundation.com. A tribute fund has been opened in the name of Ian A. Soutar. Condolences may be sent to www.kanefetterly.qc.ca