In a time like this the song “If I could turn back to time...” comes to mind, because this was not the end to our beautiful vacation, planned meticulously by Ian, that any of us expected. But we can’t and that is why we are here. I ask your indulgence to spare me a few minutes as I turn back the time in Ian’s life.
In school and college times in Belfast, the gregarious Ian made friends that became friends for life. I know that he communicated with many of his Wallace group in recent days––no doubt with his latest groan jokes. He played basketball for school and college and the highlight of his basketball career was to have played on the Ulster squad and represent his country. Through all the moves, the black and white team photo has accompanied us.
Busy times ensued as he built a career as a young engineer. The gung ho Ian was the first engineer to plant a stake on the Shetland Islands to prepare for the construction of the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, the U.K.’s largest construction project ever. In addition to the Shetlands, where I joined him after our marriage in 1976, he traveled widely and worked on many projects: the Orkney Island, Saudi Arabia to build roads in the desert, Amman, Jordan to work on a the new Queen Aliyah International airport, the less exotic County Clare to work on the Moneypoint power station, and finally to a project in Huntington, WV to arrange for coal from Kentucky to be shipped to Ireland and Europe in the early 80s. It was meant to be a three year contract, but as I frequently reminded him, especially if I was having a bad day, he had long overstayed the expiration date.
More stable times ensued with a move to Northern Virginia close to Washington DC where engineering took a more normal turn with infrastructure projects. We called this home as Ian became an elder of the Presbyterian church, sang and played guitar in the worship group, and became a doting dad to our daughter Lyn. He was her number one cheer leader at swim meets, and a constant guide to help her plan her path through college, universities and career choices. The second happiest day of his life was when she announced she had finally found a boyfriend, Corey, who she was pretty sure would measure up to both her and Ian’s approval, and the happiest day was her wedding day just over 10 years ago. He might have given her away to Corey, but he maintained the “my girl, talkin’ about my girl…”music to announce her calls on his phone. The only day to equal this was December 16, 2020 when our grandson Bennett was born.
Easier times came when he worked from home as a consultant civil engineer with his beloved Winston the Wheaten Terrier below his desk. Eventually he took a progressive retirement. Then in one of life’s strange turns, 35 years after his arrival in WV, the desire to be with Lyn, Corey and Bennett drew us back to Huntington, our WV home.
Recent times included golf buddies, the “gripe” group, (read complain about problems of age and politics group), cushion battles and wrestling with Bennett, which Bennett always won, support of struggling communities in our home town, and endless explanations to West Virginians as to why he was not the one with the accent!
Finally end times included an extensive trip to Europe culminating in a trip “home” to Northern Ireland to visit family, especially his brother Keith, to play golf together, and to discuss the chances of his beleaguered team Manchester United ever winning the cup again. Ironically he was following their win on Saturday afternoon when I arrived to see him. All serious stuff! But here on October 4 time for Ian runs out.
In short:
- Ian was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather.
- He loved music, especially the Eagles and the 60s, and sports, especially soccer––football to you.
- He was a keen photographer and had a great eye for a good picture.
- He told corney dad jokes and entertained people with his Irish humor and the curious pronunciation of the number 8.
- He loved spreadsheets for planning because they were detailed and logical like his mind.
- He took care of everyone and everything with his generous spirit.
But above all, he was immensely proud of what this boy of a modest Belfast background had achieved and become, but he knew profoundly at the same time that it was only because of God’s grace and blessing on his life.
And if his heart ultimately gave out, maybe it was because he poured so much of it into living purposefully, meaningfully, and well.
As for me, to quote and slightly modify a poem by W. H. Auden:
He was my North, my South, my East, my West
My working week, my Sunday rest
My moon, my midnight, my talk, my song,
I thought that he would be with me forever, I was wrong.
Now there is no more time. Wherever Ian was, that was home, our home. But we will leave him here as per his wishes on the coast of his beloved Northern Ireland that he recommended everyone to visit, but preferably when the weather was good!
After all the years of travels and homes, he has come home and I feel in my heart that it is a fitting conclusion. And Lyn and I will pack up all the memories of this gentle giant we carry in our hearts and minds and take them to our homes in West Virginia until we will all finally be reunited in our Father’s heavenly home.
Thank you for your time!
Jill Moore - written October 5 and delivered as eulogy October 6 2025 in Lisburn at Service of Thanksgiving.
We miss you so much!
