Sad news to report about Ian McAvity, a former resident of Cabbagetown and well-known for his efforts with the Wellesley Cottages renovations in the early and mid-1980s. He passed away on Tuesday March 15, 2016. A service of celebration was held on March 24.
From this online obituary, it seems that he was an accomplished squash player, investment banker and an enjoyer of telling stories. Our condolences to his family and friends.
From the obitsforlife website:
IAN MALCOLM TEMPLE MCAVITY
Ian passed away suddenly at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on the morning of Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in his 73rd year. Ian was the son of the late James and Margaret McAvity and younger brother of the late Virginia Heward. Brother-in-law of Chil Heward. Beloved uncle of Trish (Doug Easton), Geoff (Joanne) and Jamie (Brigette) and a “great uncle” of Willa and Geoffrey Easton, Charlotte and Brian Heward, and Cassie and Michael Heward. Ian was an avid squash player in the 60’s and 70’s winning championships in Canada and the United States in both “hard ball” and doubles, and was known for his ferocious backhand, and at times, for taking a cigarette break between games, much to the dismay of his partner! He was a long time Jester in the squash community representing Canada in the US, South Africa and England. He had a career that first started in banking on Wall Street, returned to Montreal with the Bank of Montreal and at a young age, decided to move to Toronto and become an investment analyst specializing in technical research. He started his own investment market letter for subscribers in 1970 called “Deliberations Research” and was a frequent speaker on television including “Wall Street Week” and was a respected “Round Table member” in Barron’s. Ian travelled extensively around the world as he was often asked to speak at conferences on gold and the markets. He was a corporate director of several mining companies and was dedicated to assisting them in their growth. Ian was warm and generous, always offering to help friends in need. Ian loved golf, gardening, red wine, cats and animals in general. He enjoyed telling stories, often at dinner or over a drink to anyone willing to listen to his views on markets, politics, a fond event or experience, of which there were many. A Service of Celebration will be held at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24th with a reception to follow at the Badminton and Racquet Club at 25 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Toronto Humane Society or the Ojibway Club Historical Society would be greatly appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.
If you would like to let others in the neighbourhood know of the passing of a Cabbagetowner, please have their family contact us.