Ian Alexander Munro

We mourn the loss of Ian Alexander Munro, who was born December 6, 1942 in Vancouver and passed away peacefully on his own terms in Sechelt on April 1, 2026.

Ian is survived by his wife Gail Riddell, his three children Emily Munro (Jean Pierre), Livia Galbraith (Ken), and Alexander Munro (Elisa), his brother Garth Munro (Susie), stepmother Deirdre Munro, former wife and mother to his three children Rhonda Munro, and two step-children, Colin and Darcy Riddell. He was the proud grandfather to Noah Keller; Lachlan and Finlay Galbraith; June, Luke and Grace Munro; and Ruby and Xavier Toriel. He is predeceased by his brother Ross Munro and his parents, Margaret Munro (née Barnes) and Alastair (Hugh) Munro.

Ian graduated (in History and English) from the University of British Columbia in the 1960s and later studied at Royal Roads University. He was a devoted career public servant in the Government of Canada, mainly in Human Resources Development Canada (currently Employment and Social Development Canada). He was committed to his role developing and implementing policy, supporting job training programmes, and serving the needs of the public while navigating political changes. His former colleagues in the Federal Government described his qualities as a combination of “knowledge, professionalism, maturity and wisdom”. He travelled widely across British Columbia and the Yukon as part of his role.

Over his lifetime Ian resided in Vancouver, Ottawa, Kingston (Ontario) and most recently, Sechelt, BC.

Gail and Ian were married on October 30, 2009 in Vancouver and they held a large celebratory Hallowe’en party in Sechelt the next day. They were close companions for 17 years, sharing many interests including travel, the outdoors, music and good food.

Ian had a lifelong love of travelling, hiking in the mountains and other outdoor activities. He spent a year in Portugal as a young man and subsequently completed 800 km of the Camino de Compostela (in France and Spain) and the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (in France). He walked to work when younger and enjoyed riding his bike. He snowshoed on local mountains for many winters and while living on the Sunshine Coast took up dragon boating. Gail and Ian enjoyed trips to several African countries, Chile, Panama, Turkey, Greece, Kauai and parts of Eastern Europe and the US. They both loved summer visits in the orange boat to the cabin at Owen Bay, Sonora Island. There Ian chopped wood, swam in the lake, caught crabs for dinner and hung out with friends and family.

He was passionate about reading non-fiction books (often history) and the New York Review of Books and enjoyed attending the annual Writers Fest and other local readings. Together, he and Gail appreciated a wide range of both live and recorded music, including classical, opera and jazz.

Everyone who knew Ian recognized his kindness, respected his strong intellect and appreciated his sense of humour.

He felt deep connections with the friends he made over the 17 years on the Sunshine Coast, many of whom visited him to say ‘goodbye’. Above all, Ian loved and cared for his family keenly and deeply.

“Think of him as living

In the hearts of those he touched

For nothing loved is ever lost

And he was loved so much.”

(Ellen Brenneman)

Donations in memory of Ian should be sent to The Sunshine Coast Hospice Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 5th, 2pm at the Botanical Gardens in Sechelt.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ian Alexander Munro, please visit our floral store.