Ian Todd Brownlie
1939-2023
Passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Ian is survived by his wife Noreen, as well as his daughters Alison (Brian) and Lesley (Omer), and adored grandsons, Harrison, Tristan and Ashton.
Ian was born in 1939 in Carluke, Scotland to George Brownlie and Barbara Todd. He attended Carluke Primary School and Lanark Academy, one of the oldest schools in Scotland. His lifelong love of gardening – and tomatoes – began at age 13 when Ian started working in Braidwood tomato greenhouses for 35 shillings/week.
Ian followed his brother George to the University of Glasgow where he received a degree in Applied Chemistry and a PhD in Polymer Chemistry. It was at the university cafe in 1963 that a girl caught his eye. His friend offered him 2 pints to ask her out, and so it was that Ian met Noreen, the woman who would become his wife and fellow adventurer for their 60 years together. Ian and Noreen married on November 30th, 1964 (St Andrew’s Day) and soon after emigrated to Canada, to embark on their first of many adventures together.
Having accepted a Post Doctoral Fellowship from the NRC in Ottawa, Ian began his career in research but quickly realized he’d prefer working in business and started working for Celanese Canada in 1967 in Quebec. He had a very successful career at Celanese in Drummondville, Kingston, Montreal and finally Edmonton, rising to be a Vice President and General Manager of the company. He also served on the BOD for Celanese Canada and EPCOR, supporting their mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy.
Despite his career success, it was friends and family – not work – that were the focus of Ian’s life. His daughters, Alison and Lesley, were born in 1971 and 1972 and were his pride and joy. He was proud of their accomplishments, and of his grandsons too, but always encouraged them to focus more on finding happiness than finding success. He built many rich and enduring friendships throughout his life, many of which spanned decades, and were deeply treasured.
Ian retired in 1999 but that didn’t mean slowing down. After visiting friends on Gabriola Island in British Columbia he & Noreen decided to leave Edmonton and experience island living, a surprising choice for someone with a life long aversion to water! They found their dream house, which included land for gardening. His 10 year project led to a greenhouse and watering system and 14 raised beds, as well as a bounty of tomatoes that he loved to share with friends and visitors. Ian also invested time and effort in the Gabriola community, including playing a key role in the building and creation of the Gabriola Medical Clinic, helping to make healthcare more accessible for his fellow islanders.
Ian read The Globe and Mail cover to cover every day, but he wanted to experience the world as well as read about it. He and Noreen were avid travelers and together they visited 79 countries in total, always preferring adventure tours that made it possible to see the true nature and culture of the places they stayed. Their favourite trips included Myanmar and Bhutan. In addition to travel, Ian and Noreen enjoyed numerous shared activities including golf, walking, gardening and crabbing.
With his booming voice and a laugh that will ring in the ears of his family and friends for many, many years to come, Ian was never as happy as when he was with Noreen and their daughters and grandsons, or hosting dinners for friends. He loved to see people together and enjoying themselves, and was in his element cooking, cleaning up, and hosting get-togethers. Ian was a wonderful cook, famous for his French onion soup and Thai chicken, that filled the plates of his many dinner guests. He smiled at everyone, welcomed people with open arms, and will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will remember the warmth and happiness he brought them.
The family welcomes donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Parksville Oceanside Hospice Society in lieu of flowers.
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