Ian passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family
1st September 2023, aged 65 years.
We will always love you.
Your music will forever play.
A service to celebrate Ian's life will be held in the Chapel of Mount Alexander Funerals, 12 Campbell Street, Castlemaine
on Saturday 9th September commencing at 1.30pm.
Following this service a private cremation will be held for Ian.
After the service you are warmly invited to stay and join the family for light refreshments.
If you wish to join us at the service via livestream
please return to the home page of this website and click on the livestream button.
The service will be live approximately 5-10 minutes prior to commencing.
Words will never do justice for the kind warm hearted funny friendly smart man we first met with Martha in Italy.
Ian too young to leave but will always be in our hearts.
RIP Ian
John and Barbara
Such a wonderful man. Always ready to lend a hand, stop in for a chat or have a few laughs with. A good friend at a time when I was new to the country life and didn’t have many. Thanks for the good times. Thinking of Ian’s family and you Martha. It was so clear how happy you made him x
Renae Woodford
The heavens have grown much brighter with the addition of a new star.
What a really nice bloke you were in this space on earth we shared.
I’m so glad our paths crossed for 20 years we walked the path of this life together – sharing laughter and tears, stories and time…
Miss you – S xx
Ian you will be sadly missed.
You were our closest and best friend.
You will be sadly missed on your annual Christmas party and we will all raise our glasses and have your favourite drink.
Condolence to Martha, Kate, Maggie, Jack.
With all our love Lyn & Mick
I’ll always miss you old mate.
Where ever you lived I was always welcome, and both you and Martha treated me like family.
We’ve had some great times together and covered a lot of Australian dirt roads and tracks on 4wheels.
I’m so sad you’ve gone, but every time I hit the dirt in this wonderful country that you loved and sit around a camp fire, you will be there in my thoughts. I’ll never forget you my friend.
Without Martha things would have been a lot different.
– Whitey
Our hearts are broken.
We were lucky enough to call you cousin and even more privileged to call you friend.
Thank you for the precious memories we will always treasure. Xx
Jan & Dale
Sue & Neil
Ian,
You did not deserve this.
Such a wonderful person, huge heart and and a loving personality.
You were a great friend and partner.
I will always cherish the adventures and fun we had.
Martha, I am sorry for your loss of a loving husband, and friend.
May you rest in peace Ian.
– Janette Taylor
Ian, you were one of kind.
In a matter of few days in Italy, it seems we shared a lifetime.
We will forever be grateful for your imprint on our lives.
I will always hear you singing “Come on, Eileen”. Even now it makes me smile. That’s what you did, you made everyone smile. But when you smiled the biggest was when you looked at your precious Martha! What a team you were, such love.
We treasure the memories we made.
Blessings to your family in the days ahead.
– Dennis and Eileen Emo
Ian was a “one of a kind” brother.
Sometimes a bit pesky when we were kids (he was several years younger) but we really bonded as adults.
Always warm, welcoming & loving.
He was earthy, matter of fact about situations (“it’s outside of my circle of influence” was one of his statements) & forgiving. He would provide any support needed.
A bonza bloke whose life was cut too short by a cruel quirk of fate.
In loving memory from big brother, Lindsay James
Dad.
You were True blue, a wonderful and loving father. Generous and doting Grandad McKay to Samuel and Maeve.
You had a bright mind, sparkling eyes and a warm smile. Full of charisma and joy.
Your untimely passing has left us bereft. You will be sorely missed by us all. Who do we call now?
You lived life to the whole.
Thank you for all the people, experiences and things you brought into our lives.
Your music will follow us for our lifetime.
Much love to you, you were beautiful.
– Kate and Michael
Ian,
You were a great boss to work for and a kind, generous and funny person.
I’m so glad we got to catch up again recently, which I will always cherish.
My thoughts are with Martha and family.
From Peter Dean
To the avuncular one, just 18 the day I was born.
The one who shared a piece of his heart, wisdom, humour, creativity and love.
The one who gave us Storybook Love plucked on his guitar strings.
The one who shared his joy of music, literature and the screen.
There is a missing piece in our family.
Always remembered, celebrated and cherished for generations to come.
A stronger family because of you.
– Loz xo
Vale Ian McKay.
When I first got to know Ian after he joined the Devils, (back when we were all young and handsome), I realised that I knew of him in his first year of high school. It was only then that I learned of the trauma he had to push through at high school which would make some of today’s bullying claims absolutely frivolous. Joanne had actually seen some of it and heard about some of it but hearing it first hand from Ian was rather chilling!!!
The fact that he came through that as one of the kindest, incredibly humble, extremely loyal and quietly determined human beings who we have been so blessed to have known is testament to what a truly great man he was!!! Ian was more than a Devil. He stood for everything that is so great about being a Devil. He was enshrined in the group the qualities and friendships that will live on in all those he touched. Vale Ian. Forever a “Devil”
Rest in Peace Ian.
Alan Wood
I only met Ian since his diagnosis when engaged to do some building work on the new shed at Sternberg St. It was only a matter of half and hour before we were discussing musical tastes, and being of a similar vintage, loved the sounds of the Beatles, Credence and Dire Straits. In a matter of minutes, Ian had his bluetooth speaker out and connected to his phone’s music library and we were working together to those familiar and loved tunes for the next 2 days, eagerly discussing and swapping music trivia for the tunes. Subsequently I was engaged for 2 additional work gigs at Sternberg St, and once again working together in between his treatments and sharing vegemite scrolls and philosophical discussions at lunch times. Although our time shared was relatively short, there was a genuine respect and regard for each other. Vale Ian and sincere condolences to Martha and Ian’s family, although we have never met.
Richard Favaloro
Deepest condolences to Martha and the girls, Ian’s children, and extended family.
A Great, Genuine fella.
Loved the few times we had a beer together and had a laugh.
Going to be very much missed.
– Bomber, Belinda and family 💜
It’s hard to believe such a special guy is not with us any more.
Ian was full of personality and filled the room with laughter and good conversation.
He was a friend who loved life and adventure.
He will be sadly missed by many.
My heart goes out to Martie and family.
Such a heart breaking time for you.
– Carmel O’Brien Xxx
Hi Ian,
the one thing that I really remember about you is your gorgeous smile…
No matter what you did in a game or party you owned that smile😄
I’m so sad to have to say goodbye to you… and send all my love to you and your family always… goodnight Ian …
love Jeannette Tyrrell 💕
Hi Ian
You were such a generous man. Generous with your time, kindness and wisdom.
You had that special ability to make people feel important.
You always made space for people and would listen with genuine interest to the stories and experiences that were shared with you.
You were an amazing storyteller and would regale me with stories of your own, much to my delight.
I love how much you loved Mum and the happiness you were able to share together.
I miss you. I’ve been sitting in your chair with a cup of coffee each morning and if I close my eyes, I can imagine that we are simply sharing one of our comfortable silences in the morning sun. I’m still using your Rick Astley cup, I hope that’s ok.
Lots of love always,
Sophie xxx
Ian, to the greatest mate a person could ever want.
Fifty years ago we met when our two basketball teams joined together, we had some fabulous times, I’ll never forget our trip through WA!
The world is a lot poorer for your passing!
Love and Condolences to Martha, Kate, Maggie and Jack. H and Anne.
A true friend no matter what the circumstance or gaps in between.
A friendship that shared the ups and downs of life with the ups so dominant coming to mind.
Be it a high country trip or a home or shed renovation project or just a few beers (with music) around a fire.
You are a friend greatly missed a phone call that cannot be answered.
Goodbye Ian.
To Martha and family ,
Our thoughts are with you and your loss
Of a great warm and loving man.
Peter and Vickie
You will be missed.
We had many great times in our youth.
As the years have gone by these memories remain never to be forgotten.
Catching up with the Devils at your house, enjoying your children growing up. The adults they are now.
Taken too soon. R.I.P.
Grant Simmons
Ian, it’s hard to believe you are gone! Over the years, no matter where I lived you had a knack of turning up should I be home in the mallee.
You were larger than life and a joy to have as a cousin.
RIP Cuz.
Noel
Deepest condolences to Martha, Kate, Maggie & Jack.
Ian was one in a million, a wonderful family man.
Gifted with a great personality and caring nature.
RIP Ian
Anne & Les
RIP Ian, remembering your smiles, your music, your campfires. You had some great adventures in life.
So sorry Martha and condolences to your family, a wonderful person gone too soon xx
Kerri Grant
We are thinking of you Martha and family 💙. Many happy memories of Ian and our families camping and just hanging out together.
You will be remembered always. Sending so much love xxxxxx
Wayne and Julie Jolly