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IAN BROWNLEE
Born: Nov 08, 1959
Date of Passing: Feb 27, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryIAN BROWNLEE
It is with heartfelt sadness we share the news of Ian's passing on February 27, 2025, at Saint Boniface Hospital.
Ian is survived by his younger brother Phil (Sherry); and nephew Thomas. Also mourning his loss are many cousins and their children throughout Western Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Ian was born in Montreal on November 8, 1959, to parents, William Richard Brownlee of Russell, Manitoba, and Murdina Johann Brownlee (nee MacKay) of Transcona, Manitoba, both of whom were always Western Canadians at heart.
Ian's earliest years were spent growing up in Roxboro, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, where for many years he enjoyed playing goalie on local hockey teams. One year, together with his brother Phil, he was dispatched to piano lessons, which neither of them enjoyed until both were kicked out, which both did enjoy. Around then his father wisely invested in a pool table for the basement where, for about five years, Ian took great pride in beating his brother at pool, adding another lengthy winning streak to his unbeaten chess record, both of which still stand.
On a bright summer’s day in 1967 Ian met the kitten who would make him a cat person. The local kids were racing around like all kids did in the 1960s, with Ian and Phil among them. Their parents were out doing the weekly grocery shopping. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilson, she of the enormous station wagon, was driving around Roxboro with a cunning plan. Said lady was a devoted Siamese cat lover and had ambitions to get rich selling purebred kittens to Siamese fans like herself. The only hitch to this dubious plan was a randy Tabby whose genes clearly outraced any Siamese genes the mother cat may have received, and thus a wonderful litter of Siamese-Tabby cats was born. Mrs. Wilson was furious and determined to put as much distance between herself and these newborns as quickly as possible. The timing was perfect. She screeched the enormous station wagon to a stop on Ian’s driveway. The kids all gathered round to see what this peculiar lady was about. She slammed the gate down on her station wagon and declared they could all have any kitten they liked. This is when Ian first spotted Tootsie, the kitten who was to become his favourite feline person for the next 22 years. His parents were not pleased at first, but the disgruntled Mrs. Wilson was long gone by then and so Tootsie was there to stay.
When Ian was 19 his family moved from Montreal to Winnipeg, which was for his parents a joyful homecoming, and for Ian and Phil a new and exciting experience where both attended the University of Winnipeg.
Ian graduated with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Winnipeg in 1982, and then again in 1985 with a BA in Psychology.
Ian began his career working at Wardrop Engineering on a research grant to investigate the economics of making Ethanol from wood fibre as a fuel additive for cars. When the grant ran out Ian returned to school.
Ian graduated in 1987 from Red River College, with a specialization in Industrial Control Technology. He must have liked it there and they certainly liked him, as immediately after graduation they hired him to run their laboratories. He was happy doing practical lab work while continuing to take more courses to add to his portfolio of skills, resulting in becoming a registered Power Engineer and Electrician on top of being a Certified Technologist. He eventually became an instructor at RRCC and continued teaching there until his retirement in 2023.
After a brief illness Ian passed peacefully knowing his last lucky cat, Lucy, would be well cared for with his brother Phil and family.
A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at St. Mary’s Road United Church, 613 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, with Minister Phil Read officiating. Refreshments in the hall will follow the service.
Donations, if wished, may be made to United Way Winnipeg.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2025
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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What a wonderfully rich interesting life cousin Ian had. Condolences to Phillip, Sherry, Tommy and all the Canadian cousins. As one of the Australian cousins, my hugs are all virtual hugs. I am glad Lucy is landing on her paws with Phill, Sherry and Tommy. 🌹🌷🥀 - Posted by: Robyn Manser (Cousin) on: Mar 21, 2025
