Obituary of John "Ian" Armstrong

John "Ian" Armstrong, 84, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024, at Symphony Senior Living in Kanata.  His two youngest children were frequently at his side in his final days.

John was born on January 9, 1940, to Robert and Mary Armstrong, in Glasgow Scotland, and was the younger brother of Robin.  Though named John he was known as Ian, the Scottish Gaelic variant of the original Hebrew name.  He would revert to John with his emigration to Canada in 1966.  He was born and raised on Great Western Road in Glasgow, attending Hillhead High School followed by the University of Glasgow, where he met the love of his life Caroline Sutherland. 

John and Caroline were married on April 1, 1965 (All Fools Day, he frequently noted). Their first year of married life, Ian and Caroline lived in swinging London England, where Ian worked on electrical power systems for British Rail.  Ian and Caroline emigrated to Canada, as so many Scots did, in 1966, living in Southern Ontario for the first year, then moving to Winnipeg where Ian (now John) worked for Exide (Rayovac).  In 1974 John moved to the public sector, the Government of Canada, which inevitably led to the move to Ottawa in 1976, as the Chief of Weights and Measures.  Two substantial challenges of that position over the next several years was Canada’s conversion to the metric system and the emergence of digital measuring systems, replacing analogue, throughout the world. The next several positions were always dealing with “something new”, i.e., the implementation of new legislation for pharmaceuticals, hazardous materials, lobbyists, and the GST, and bankruptcy, before retiring in 2000.

Family was ever present, Robert born in Oakville, Andrew and Catriona in the early years in Winnipeg.  The years were substantially dominated by the cycles of school, sport seasons, Scouts, Guides, ballet etc.  With his life partner Caroline, they built the home they wanted.  They were “do-it yourself” before it became fashionable: building the garage, the shed, the deck, fixing the cars and landscaping both the front and back yards.  A lifelong fan of sport, lively discussions regarding golf, motorsport and rugby were common, as well as hockey and football, adopting the fandom of his adopted land. 

Upon retirement John and Caroline designed and built their dream home on the shore of East Lake in Cherry Valley, Prince Edward County, Ontario. The golden years were just that, rich in each other’s company, plus good food, good wine and good friends.  And nipping off each October to winter in New Port Richey, Florida.  In retirement John achieved the goal of so many Scotsmen, playing and talking golf full time.

Following a long physical impairment that frustratingly restricted his participation in the community, John is survived by children Robert, Andrew (Lara), and Catriona, grandchildren Alex, Charlie and Jamie, niece Margaret (Gavin) Hawke and grandnephews Robert and Dion. Sadly, John was predeceased by Caroline just a few weeks ago.  We are grateful for all the time we had with John and will strive to live to the example he set, a good man, straight, honest and true.

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