IAN PHILIP NORQUAY

With immense sadness, we share the passing of Ian Norquay, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, and friend on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Ian was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Margaret; his son, John and daughter, Alexandra; as well as his sister, Carol; sister-in law, Elizabeth “Billie”; brothers-in law, Jarvis and Ralph; mother, Catherine Clara; and father, John.

Left to remember Ian’s extraordinary life are his children, Susan, Lawrence (Tammy), Valerie (Marc), Heather (Tom) and son-in-law Greg (Anne). He also leaves his much adored grandchildren, Melissa Jane, Olivia, Gavin (Rhiannon), Gillian, Mae, Kaleigh (Joel), Marah (Chris), Isaac, Oskar (Megan), and Henry, as well as great grandchildren, Janek, Violet, and Evan. Ian’s nieces and nephews, Leslie (Russell), Bruce, Doug (Terri), Matt (Suzanne), and Julie (John), were very dear to him. Childhood friends, Rosemary Goodwin and Sheila Black, who spent nearly a lifetime with both Ian and Margaret, share in our grief and remembrance.

Ian was born in Edmonton and then at six years old, moved to Winnipeg with his family where he spent the rest of his childhood and his early adulthood in East Kildonan. Growing up on Leighton Avenue, Ian often asked his mother for a twin brother and, as if to grant his wish, Ralph Vryenhoek, who was five days older, moved in to the house next door. Ralph and Ian became not only fast friends, but nearly-twin brothers-in-law when they married the Urquhart sisters, Margaret and Billie. Completing this tightly bonded group of friends were Carol, Jarvis, Rosemary, and Sheila.

Ian graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1955 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and then relocated to Dawson Creek, British Columbia to begin his career with Schlumberger of Canada. Moving on to Alberta, he worked as field engineer and district manager in Edmonton, engineer-in-charge in Drayton Valley, and chief sales engineer in Calgary.

Ian and Margaret married on February 2, 1957 (Ground Hog Day), spending their early marriage in both British Columbia and Alberta. Six children followed as with each new location, came another baby. Having these two as parents meant a noisy, busy life filled with road trips in a converted school bus, skiing, poodles, guinea pigs, horses, camping trips, mountains, a pig barn, and tractor rides. One could describe our childhood as controlled chaos, with Ian, the ever adventurer, soaring like a kite and Margaret, the perpetual string, keeping us all safely tethered.

In 1974, Ian and Margaret traded their urban life in Calgary for a farm in Cloverdale, near Selkirk, Manitoba and a new chapter began. While Ian operated the farm, he continued to do consultant work in the petroleum industry, which took him to remote drilling rig sites in the Canadian arctic and Newfoundland. Later he owned and operated his own computer business in Selkirk. Ian was never idle, always immersing himself with a multitude of projects and works in progress.

When it was time to leave the farm, Ian and Margaret moved to their cozy little condo in North Kildonan. This home became the new gathering place for us to meet to solve all the world’s problems at the dining room table or just sit listening to the birds in the little garden with the great big tree. In their retirement, Margaret and Ian spent their summers at the cottage at Sugar Point near Lundar, while in the winter they made their home at the old, somewhat debilitated Hotel Belmar in Mazatlan, Mexico.

As a dedicated treasure collector, Ian spent much of his later years traveling about in his minivan on the hunt for objects to sell, trade, or fix. During these excursions, his constant companion was his beloved little dog, Jenny. A gifted magnet with the words, “IT TAKES A BIG MAN TO WALK A SMALL DOG” was proudly and prominently displayed on the fridge at home.

Ian spent this last year at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg and we would like express our sincere appreciation for the gentle and kind staff who took such good care of him. Any fears or doubts we harboured about our father’s transition were dissolved, as in a very short time it became evident that he truly felt at home there, surrounded by compassionate people who genuinely liked him. Ian was happy and for that, we are grateful.

A memorial and celebration of Ian’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026 at the Bull & Filly, located in the Nor-Villa Motor Hotel - 1763 Henderson Highway.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg – 276 Hugo Street North, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 2N6.

Ian was our beacon, shining a guiding light for us to follow. This light is now gone but the lessons and wisdom remain. We were so very lucky to have had him for so very long.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​