Obituary of Ian McKechnie

Ian L. McKechnie May 17, 1932 - July 21, 2016 In loving memory of Ian McKechnie, beloved husband of Barbara, passed away suddenly at home on Thursday July 21st, 2016 at the age of 84 years. Ian was predeceased by his brother Alex McKechnie, his sister-in-law Judy McKechnie, his parents John and Densie McKechnie, and Barbara’s parents Tom & Bessie Motion. He leaves to mourn his wife Barbara; their children Tim (Michelle) of Calgary, AB and Shelley also of Calgary, AB. He will be missed by his three special grandchildren Michael, Jackson & Shelby; his brother in law and sister in law Cliff and Betty Bedell of Courtney, BC and all of his neices and nephews. Also all of his friends that he worked and visited with through out the years. Ian was born in Port Elgin, ON on May 17th, 1932 and grew up on the family farm east of town. Ian had to learn to grow up without a mother who passed away when he was very young leaving him to be raised by his father John and his brother Alex. When Ian was 18, he and a few friends loaded into a car and headed west looking for opportunity. They made it all the way to Vancouver Island working along the way. Ian then settled down in the farming community of Flaxcombe, SK and worked on the farm for Walter & Irene Murphy. That is when he met Barbara in the little town of Smiley and they were married in 1958 and had a son (Tim) in 1959. It was then time to move to Saskatoon where their daughter (Shelley) was born in 1962. Ian worked as a long haul truck driver traveling all across this great country. Ian finally decided to retire at the age of 70 and kept busy with some part time driving, wood-working, bowling and enjoyed snow blowing many driveways and sidewalks for the houses on his block. He was the resident Snow Angel. His yard was always immaculate and Ian was always watching out for the young kids on the block. He would always smile and feel good when they would wave and talk to him. Barbara and Ian would frequently travel back and forth to Calgary to visit their children and grandchildren. Ian was 84 years young when he passed away and had told his grandson “that he had lived a full life and was not scared to die“. All of his children and grandchildren will miss the weekly (sometimes daily) weather report from Saskatoon.