Obituary of Ian Bennie
John Hunter Bennie, affectionately known as “Ian” to family and friends, passed away in Cannington, Ontario on June 11, 2024. He was born May 27, 1929 in Anisakan, Burma. His wife Rosalind Bennie passed away in 2017, and while he struggled with her loss, he continued on as a wonderful father, grandfather and eventually great grandfather to his many family members. After graduating from Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall, England, Ian went on to work as a Mining Engineer with a specialization in tin mining. His first job posting took him to a British firm called Osborne and Chappel in Far East Malaysia. It was here that he fell in love with both the country and his wife, Chim Lai Yoong (Rosalind). They were married in 1955 and had three children: Alison, Ian Jr. and Dorothy. Ian Sr. often said that the best years of his life were spent in Malaysia, living with his family in Gopeng, Perak in a beautiful raised bungalow with a view of the mountains in the distance and a very large garden that contained lime, papaya and coconut trees. Ian’s employment also took him to Indonesia, Burma and Thailand. His favourite job was working for the United Nations in the Development Program from which he retired at the age of 55. Upon returning to Canada, he lived in Hamilton, Ontario and then moved to Wilberforce, Ontario on Grace River. During this time he became part of his daughter Alison’s company Flamingo Graphics where he worked for many years as the bookkeeper. He enjoyed this work, as well as having an excuse to be in downtown Toronto for a few days each week. He loved going to movies in the city (big James Bond fan), and would frequent Thai and Chinese restaurants and visit and babysit his grandkids Carson and Flannery. When the house in Wilberforce became too much work, Ian and Rosalind moved to Cannington, Ontario, where they resided for twenty-plus years. Ian had a good sense of humour, enjoyed travelling, and was a big Toronto Blue Jays fan. When he was younger he enjoyed playing rugby, swimming and badminton. Anyone who knew him also knew he had quite a sweet tooth and loved lemon pie, butter tarts, shortbread and fudge. His drink of choice was a cold beer, but closely followed by chocolate milk, which he could drink in copious amounts; his family often joked that this possibly contributed to his long life. He is survived by all three children: Alison Bennie (Cannington), Ian (Daniela Ricci) Bennie (Mississauga) and Dorothy (Paul Quarrington deceased) Bennie (Toronto). Granddaughters: Carson (Florian Bouyou) Quarrington (Montreal) & Flannery Quarrington (Toronto), Brianna (Rob Dalton) Bennie (St. Thomas) and Abby (Myanna Hansen) Richards (Toronto) and greatgranddaughter Lily Dalton (St. Thomas). Many, many thanks to the staff of Bon Air Long Term Care Residence in Cannington, who took
such excellent care of Ian for just under 2 years.
If desired, memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Bon Air Nursing Home, Cannington through the THORNE FUNERAL HOME, 109 Laidlaw Street South in Cannington (705-432-2672). Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.thornefuneralhome.ca
