Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Ian BENNETT Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
51 Entries
Karen Ellis
March 2, 2018
Dear Mary Alice - I am so very sorry to hear of Ian's death and send my kindest wishes to you and our whole family. Ian was bright, kind, and humble, and had a wonderful sense of humour. Karen Ellis
Linda and Duff Friesen
February 10, 2018
We have just learned of Ian's passing. Our thoughts are with you, Mary Alice, and your family.
Sue Moerman
February 8, 2018
M.A. and family. I just learned of Ian's passing today and I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You have my deepest sympathy and I will keep you in my thoughts as you go through this very difficult time.
Vincent Hogan
February 1, 2018
I only learned today of Ian's passing from Mary Alice, as she had so kindly searched and searched for my telephone number in order to let me know the bad news. Ian and I met in grade 9 at Clearbrook Junior Secondary school--a now long gone school in Abbotsford, B.C.--and instantly became friends. He had access to a car when he became 16, as he was the 'car lot boy' for a local car dealer, and was allowed the occasional use of a car, which he could take us around in, on back country roads, or to the drive in theatre in Chilliwack B.C. We continued to be friends when he moved to North Vancouver, and then then later we lived for a year together in Ottawa, where he was just starting his career with Finance. The morning of the FLQ crisis in 1970 when The War Measures Act was declared, he and I and a mutual friend were standing in front of the Governor General's residence, as tourists, when we were interrogated at gun point by an armed soldier, and a more friendly RCMP officer, who mistook my long hair as a subversive warning. Ian became a very distinguished civil servant, our friend became a Church minister and I became a judge! Quite a collection of radicals. Ian was a very decent person, responsible and generous in spirit, who shared his friendship with me over many years. We are all saddened by his passing, but richer for having known him.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Peter Cameron
February 1, 2018
We were both surprised and saddened to hear that Ian has passed away. Ian was always a pleasure to spend time with, and his wit and wisdom made every encounter enjoyable, and a learning experience. We appreciate what a huge loss this is to his family and offer our most sincere condolences. Peter Cameron and Brenda Reid
Mark Carney
January 28, 2018
Dear Mary Alice
Having just learned of Ian's passing, I would like to pass along my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
I was privileged to work with Ian for several intense years at Finance. Of course, despite the maelstrom of events swirling around l'Esplanade Laurier, it never felt that way with Ian. His calm demeanour and infectious sense of humour put the most pressing problems into their proper perspective, while his brilliance as an economist divined the art of possible solutions.
Canada was very fortunate that he choose public service. And I was lucky to work with him when I did. I learned a tremendous amount from Ian as an economist, a manager and a leader. I have been honoured to count him as a friend. I shall miss him very, very much.
Tom Bernes
January 27, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family
I was saddened to learn of Ian's passing. We shared many moments together at Finanace and working on the establishment of the G20 when I was serving at the IMF before him. He brought wisdom and enjoyment to all his efforts.
Andrea Limbardi
January 27, 2018
Dear Mary Alice,
We did not have the honour of getting to know Ian directly but feel as if we did through the stories Larissa and Matthew have shared with us. All of those stories circled back to the same theme - that Ian has been the most incredible father to them (and Emily and Jessie) and grandfather to Ryan and all of his grandchildren. In reading all of the heartfelt comments here, it is clear that Ian was loved and respected deeply in all other aspects of his life as well. We can't begin to imagine how deeply you are feeling Ian's loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts in this very difficult time and share our deepest condolences.
Andrea and Greg
Chris Faircloth
January 27, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I had the privilege of working with Ian at both the Department of Finance and the IMF's ED office. He was a dedicated public servant, a thoughtful boss, and a kind and generous man. He will be missed by many. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know him.
Ruth Swyers
January 27, 2018
Mary Alice, I'm so sorry to hear the very sad news about Ian. My condolonces to you, and the rest of the family.
I remember soon after I became your neighbour and we were sitting in the kitchen, and you told me about this wonderful man you were dating. It seems a long time ago, and yet not long at all. Thinking of you.
January 27, 2018
Mary Alice:
So sorry to hear of Ian's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Love Geri & Louie Yates.
Michael Wernick
January 27, 2018
I am just catching up with the sad news. My condolences to the family. I criss crossed paths with Ian many times over the years. I saw him in action at PCO and as DM of Finance. He was the consummate public servant - knew his stuff, gave good advice very directly, knew how to listen, treated everyone with respect and grew a fine crop of leaders. He will be missed.
John Moore
January 26, 2018
I was so sad to hear of Ian's sudden passing. I had the privilege of working closely with Ian at the Mint. I have wonderful memories of our travels together and the many laughs we shared. Ian was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences Mary Alice to you and the family. God bless and may Ian Rest In Peace...
Cindy Williams
January 26, 2018
Dear Mary Alice
I was so saddened to hear of Ian's passing. Many fond memories of our family Nelson and North Vancouver visits. My mother Isabel Boyd was very proud of her nephew Ian's accomplishments.
Wishing you and your family heartfelt comfort in your time of loss.
Terrie O'Leary
January 26, 2018
Mary Alice,
David and I were so very sorry to hear of your loss. Our sincere condolences to you and your family for losing Ian so suddenly. We know what a special place he held in all of your hearts and our love and thoughts are with you.
On a personal and professional note I was honoured to have worked with Ian at the Department of Finance. Those were daunting days at Finance in the 1990's. We literally lived at 140 O'Connor.
The country and the government were exceptionally well served by the calibre and dedication of the professional public service that poured their minds and hearts into the work we did. The professionalism, respect and collegiality we encountered from the officials at Finance came from the very top. No one loved to debate and delve into his profession more than Ian. Having him around the table was invaluable to all of us. His passion and expertise wasn't limited to domestic issues he really shone when he got immersed in international issues. He was a great G7 and G20 deputy at Finance and his empathy for other nations and his respect for Canada's role at our international institutions was inspiring.
I was thrilled that Ian and I both served in Washington together - Ian at the IMF and I at the World Bank. We worked together to make sure we were not only representing Canada to the best of our ability but also that we provided input and guidance to the other nations in our constituency. Ian was tirelessly dedicated to his role and to the countries he represented.
When I think of the public service and its vital importance to our country, I think of Ian. I think of his commitment to his work, his love of Canada and his mentorship to so many young professionals. He loved public policy. He set a high standard and was an example to many. He believed in his profession. He took to heart the old adage that public service was the highest calling. He will be missed dearly not only by his treasured family but by a public service he helped to define.
Terrie O'Leary and David Herle
Paul Jenkins
January 26, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family,
I was very sad to learn of Ian's untimely passing. I had the privilege of working with Ian at the Department of Finance and in the Executive Director's office at the IMF in Washington. He was admired and respected by his colleagues as a dedicated public servant and a fine man. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Ola Moore
January 26, 2018
Dear Mary Alice,
May the knowledge that you are surrounded by family and friends who love and care for you give you some peace at this very difficult time. Thinking of you and the whole family with love, Ola
Karen March
January 26, 2018
A beautiful soul. I will never forget how kind he always was to me.
Sophie Capéraà
January 26, 2018
My deepest condolences to Mary Alice and the family. It was a pleasure working at the Mint under his leadership.
Helen O'Kane
January 26, 2018
My condolences to the family, I worked with Ian for many many years at Finance. He was a pleasure to work with.
kathryn cook
January 26, 2018
I remember so much fun with Ian... a funny, smart and kind guy! My heart is with you Mary Alice and the entire family. With love, kathryn
Dylan Cobb
January 26, 2018
My deepest condolences to the family. He was a pleasure to work with, and taught me much about leadership. Will miss his tremendous sense of humour.
Linda Corsini
January 26, 2018
As neighbours, we will remember Ian for his love of family & for his love of Roy Orbison hits!
We're sorry for your loss Mary-Alice! with much love Linda & Gerry
Carol & Helene Boucher
January 25, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Our deepest sympathy.
January 25, 2018
Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11
Bert Backman-Beharry
January 25, 2018
My deepest sympathy to Ian's family. I worked with him in the Department of Finance in the 1980's and did my best to see him on my trips back to Ottawa. He was an excellent economist, a thoughtful and patient mentor who was highly respected by his peers and who was always ready to engage and discuss a myriad of topics. He was a wonderful human being.
1971: Little did you realize what a great life was ahead. RIP Ian.
Andrew Gardner
January 25, 2018
Forty seven years ago in the summer of 1971, Ian and I joined the Finance Department Resource Programs Division as rookies for our first paid jobs after University. In adjoining offices on the third floor of the Confederation Building we plied our economics trade by day, and at night and weekends enjoyed life to the full, taking to the slopes of Mont Saint Marie, cycling around Ottawa, and visiting the Ottawa House Hotel in Hull on Sunday nights for great music and a cheap alcoholic beverage or two forbidden on the posh side' of the river on the holy day. We talked, we dreamed, we planned but above all we laughed and even after all those years the wonderful memories of my old friend are clear in my mind. Ian had bought a spanking new, fancy bike that was his pride and joy. He rode it to work and parked it round the back of the building where he could ogle it from his office window. One afternoon he flew into my office declaring he had just watched his bike being stolen and pedaled away. We careered along the corridor, roared down the stairs and out onto Wellington Street where a cyclist was speeding past. Only at the very last moment did we realize it was the wrong bike. In fact I don't think he ever did recover his pride and joy. I moved back to Britain after a couple of years in Finance and Ian came to Northumberland for a short vacation in1973. One evening we hitched a ride to a local pub situated beside Hadrian's Wall. After a little too much merriment it was kicking out time and we had to get home. It was suggested we try the short cut over the fields. However in the pitch black dark with no flashlight we got completely and totally lost but Ian's sense of humour kept us going, eventually getting home, a little the worse for wear. Sadly our paths and lives never really crossed after thata few phone calls from time to time, but busy lives and geography got in the way. But I will never forget Ian or the great career he earned for himself or the fun we had as young kids stepping out into the world. Beside my picture of him in my album I wrote Ian Bennett the man who invented the GST! And that was only the start!
Shiree Nowoselski
January 25, 2018
A wonderful man and true leader. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Mythili Inpanayakam
January 25, 2018
Ian Bennett was a caring individual;good person;very approachable and I feel it's an honor to have known him at the Mint as our President and CEO. God bless.
Paul Boult
January 25, 2018
I hold very fond memories of working at the Mint under his kind, trusting and supportive leadership. He has left an indelible, positive mark on those fortunte enough to work with him. My deepest condolences to Mary Alice, the family and all those close to him.
Brian Smith
January 25, 2018
My deep condolences to Ian's family. I had the honour to work in Finance under Ian and had the utmost respect and admiration for him. He was a wonderful person. I will miss him.
Christie Zimmerling
January 25, 2018
My deepest sympathies to the family for your loss.
Dale Eisler
January 25, 2018
Such sad news. Ian was a fine man, a great colleague. He made the world a better place. My sympathies to his family.
Richard Enright
January 25, 2018
Deepest condolences to the family. Worked with him for numerous years at Finance. What a great human being. Always a pleasure to work with him.
January 24, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family,
I am so sorry to learn of Ian's passing. May your memories of good times together bring comfort. Joyce Pagurek (Catherine's friend)
Leslie Fulton
January 24, 2018
Nigel and I are both sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make this time easier.
Leslie Fulton & Nigel Johnson
Christine Aquino
January 24, 2018
Mary Alice and family, please accept my condolences on Ian's passing. It was a pleasure working with him during his tenure at the Mint. He was kind, thoughtful and had a wonderful sense of humour. He loved talking about his family, especially his grandsons. May your memories comfort you during this difficult time.
Ann Roberts
January 24, 2018
I am sad to hear of Ian's passing. I worked with Ian at the Department of Finance in the 80's until his appointment at the Mint. He was an intelligent man, very pleasant and easy to talk too.
My deepest sympathy to the Bennett family.
Ann Roberts - Ottawa
January 24, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family,
Sincere condolences to you all for your loss.
George and Roberta Chouchani
Julianna Barakat
January 24, 2018
To the Bennett Family,
My deepest condolences. He was a pleasure to work for and with at the Mint. As employees, we knew he cared about us as much as the business, if not more. Truly a great man and a huge loss to many. May he Rest in Peace.
January 24, 2018
Ian's sense of humour, intelligence and generous spirit made time spent with him a joy. His presence in our lives will be deeply missed. With love and sympathy, Anne, John and family.
Gloria Dyck
January 24, 2018
Mary Alice, I was sorry to hear of Ian's passing. Ian was always my mom's favourite nephew and I remember all the fun times we had growing up together. Wishing you comfort during your time of loss. I wish I could be there in Ottawa to say goodbye. Love Gloria.
Tina, Matthew, Finn, Emery and Reve McInnes
January 24, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family, We are so very sorry for your loss. Ian was such a kind, thoughtful and generous person - especially when it came to gardening tips! He will be missed. We wish to extend ourselves as your neighbours to support and assist you in any way that you might possibly need us during this time of grief. Our sincerest condolences.
Marguerite Nadeau Q.C.
January 24, 2018
Dear Mary Alice, My most sincere condolences to you and your family. Ian would often speak proudly of his family, I know he will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.
DENIS MICHAUD
January 24, 2018
Deepest condolences to Ian Bennett's family at this difficult time his old driver wen hi work at finance
Dale Taylor
January 24, 2018
Mary Alice, I'm so sorry to hear of Ian's passing. Growing up he was my favorite cousin making Janice and me cinnamon toast and taking us to Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver. May your memories of him help you through this difficult time. I wish we could be there in Ottawa to say goodbye. RIP cousin, love Dale
Lyse St-Jacques-Ayoub
January 24, 2018
Deepest condolences to Ian Bennett's family at this difficult time. Mr. Bennett's leadership qualities stand as a testament to his many accomplishments in his roles as Federal Deputy Minister and Master of the Royal Canadian Mint. He was a pillar among his peers, and greatly respected by his employees such as myself.
Marc Brule
January 24, 2018
Our deepest sympathies to Mary Alice and family. My years with Ian at the Mint were most enjoyable. The good die young! Marc and Pat Brule.
Helen Creighton
January 24, 2018
Sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Ian in the '80s. Always a pleasant person with whom to work.
Marcella Doyle
January 24, 2018
Your beautiful family will help you get through this Mary Alice, my deepest sympathy sweetheart.
January 24, 2018
Dear Mary Alice and family, we will miss Ian's kindness, generosity, charm and wit. He was taken far too soon. Our profound sympathy to you at this time of heartbreak. With love, ML Catherine and family.
Showing 1 - 51 of 51 results
315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1A2
Make a Donation
in Ian BENNETT's name
How to support Ian's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ian BENNETT's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
