Ian  was such a wonderful man. I'm not sure I can really express just how much I miss him. Not only was he a wonderful husband, he was a great daddy to Toby, Teddy, Mimea, Cuddles, Huggy, Bailey and Candy-Rose. He was also my best friend, confidante, prayer mate,  travel mate...and so much more.

Ian’s  ability to make everyone feel comfortable,laugh, secure and loved were his greatest strengths. It has been more than 13 years since we were first married and I look back over those years with so much happiness.

I remember the first time I saw him - I looked across the table  at a dinner party and saw this handsome man. I was too shy initially to even hold his eye contact. We were introduced, we laughed and we fell in love. But circumstances separated us, yet he found me again 12 years later through the internet. Ian flew thousands of miles to see me and when my eyes met his again at the Penang International Airport my heart just melted. He proposed later and only gave me 3 seconds to think and "Yes," how could I have said no. We were married by special license that needed the approval of the Chief Minister of Penang due to the nature of my job on 8/7/2005. Our marriage was later blessed by Rev. Roger Balkwill at the St Mary Magdalene Church in Albrighton, U.K.

Ian was always such a gentleman – well mannered and polite, but always quick with a witty remark. His joviality and good nature attracted people the moment he walked into the room, and no one could forget his contagious laugh.

Ian was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and brought up there for 4 years before returning to Benenden; a village in the Tunbridge Wells District of Kent, lived a couple of years in  Darlington, and later grew up in York, where he studied at St Peters School, Clifton, York. Ian always had a passion for travelling, the theatre, ballet, opera and good food. In our early life together, we would drive miles  in the car with Cuddles, Huggy and Mimea and spend weekends out together. I remember the first place Ian brought me to, it was to York where he proudly showed me the house he grew up in.  We walked round York, and he showed me the York Minster. Then he took me on a walkabout outside St Peter’s School, the school he so proudly talked about constantly. Our evenings out would be to the opera, concertos and the ballets. 

Ian's passion for good food takes us to many wonderful restaurants and his favourites eating places are The Shrewsbury Arms , The Horns of Boningale and the Dartmouth Arms, Aunt Sal's, Peckish and Next Door in Albrighton, Jenko's in Telford, The Crown @ the Works , Ken Ho and Lisa and Pann's in Birmingham, The Red Lion (Northmoor), Shikumen and 101 Thai Kitchen in London, JRC Global buffet in Watford and many more.....

When we had sent for Cuddles, Huggy and Mimea (our dogs from Malaysia)  and waited to receive them at Heathrow Airport he was delighted and was pacing the floor of the waiting area like an expectant father. Ian was a wonderful father to them and I would watch him take them to show them off in their winter jackets and boots. Although his favorite was Mimea he did love them all. We later rescued Bailey who would be Ian’s greatest companion when I was at work . When we lost Mimea in 2016 Ian was devastated. Then Ian was taken ill in August 2017. We thought getting him Candy-Rose would perk him up and it did. The furry babies respected and loved him deeply.

Ian had always wanted a daughter but circumstances did not allow us this privilege. Ian met Eilyn and loved her as a daughter. And he got a double bonus as with Eilyn we also enjoyed the gift of Pier. It was Ian's greatest joy when Zachary came along. Each time we went shopping he would go to the kids section to look for books and gifts for Zachary whom he called 'cucu'. 

Ian was a hard working and giving man. Not only was he committed to his job – he was also a filial son. Ian gave up a lucrative job and the place he loved most (Bristol) and his good friend, Tim Hunter, to return to Albrighton to look after his mother when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This is that great quality which made me love Ian even more. When Ian wasn't at work he would give his time to those who needed a listening ear. Our home was forever a place for anyone to visit, have a meal and a chat. We would be rushing halfway round the country to help friends in crisis. Weeks leading to his passing, even though Ian himself wasnt really well, he would pray for family and friends who needed prayer. He always encouraged me be involved in life – he bought out the best in me. He used to always say, ‘You can’t rest on your laurels, Daphne. You must keep forging ahead and make the best of everything.”

He was my soul mate and my inspiration – my steadfast rock that helped me through thick and thin. Ian supported and loved me and was always there to help me navigate through life’s challenges.

Ian may be in heaven now, but I know he is looking down at us with a big smile on his face saying, “Forge ahead – make the best of life – and I’ll see you soon. We have work to do up here, too.”

Goodbye, my dear, sweet husband for now, until we meet again. God Bless.