After a short but heroic battle against pancreatic cancer Ian Riddell passed away yesterday, 23rd January 2011, in Melbourne, Australia.
Ian was just 59 years old.
As this came as a complete shock to me I am at a loss for much more to say at the moment. However, I am in contact with Ian's wife Anne, and will follow up in a little while. As Ian would be well known to many of you I thought the priority was to get the news out as soon as possible. Stu
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 05:12:30 PM
Thanks Michael, we can rely on you to be properly turned out for the occasion and Ian would feel mightily proud of your attendance.
The funeral service will take place at the Heritage Funeral Home, 733, Boronia Road, Wantirna, Melbourne at 10.30am Friday 28th January and will be followed by a private cremation.
Mike, thanks for the information. Stu
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:40:47 PM
How very sad to hear about Ian. Maureen and I pass our condolences to Anne and their family. We were very fortunate in meeting Ian and Anne whilst is Sydney for the reunion. I remember on the Sunday after the cruise Maureen and I caught the Ferry across to Luna Park travelling with Ian and Anne. As we got off I decided to take a picture of them both as they were travelling further on. Sadly my camera had switched itself off in the seconds before I took the picture. Ian contacted me after we arrived home asking for a copy of my picture. I did send the picture, with an explanation, but it unfortunately it didnt show them. Michael, Its good to know you will represent us all at the funeral. We will be thinking of Ian. Please pass on our condolences.
Maureen and Alan.
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:41:04 PM
So very sad, I saw the posting last night and could not bring myself to input. Ian will be much missed by us all, his humour and banter and of course the VB bottle. Condolences to his family.
Bob
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:41:30 PM
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Ian. I was pleased to share a table with him and his wife at the reunion and he will be sadly missed. My condolences to his wife and family.
Elksy
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:41:38 PM
Ann has asked no flowers at Ian's funeral but would like donations to Eastern Health Palliative Care ,Stu has pledged some I will put some in and I have some left over from the reunion ($30.00) so will put that in, If any one else would like to give leave a message on my email. Wiggy
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:41:45 PM
SorryI have been away with work and have missed this sad news.Our thoughts are with Ians family at this time. Thank you Michael and Stu. I have updated Ians profile page on the main web site and it would be nice to add some words from Anne if she is up to it in the future.
Karoline and myself attended the service for Ian, On the coffin was his beloved PWSTS base ball hat and Polo shirt, all messages placed on the pwsts site where read out. I was very moved that the PWSTs played such a big part in Ian's life, I will put a more detailed report later. Very sad Wiggy
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:42:29 PM
" Wow what a beer " wow what a friend you are when one needs one Michael. I know you and Karoline would have been such great representatives for us all. RIP Ian, you have left many friends who will meet you later in the wonderful place you are in now. Heaven was designed for good people, see you soon.
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:42:39 PM
Please read below an email I have just received from Michael (PWSTS Australian Director). Im sure you will have the same warm fuzzy feeling as I did when you read it. Well done Michael.
Windy Ians PWSTS Baseball hat and Polo shirt where on the casket and the person who read out the sermon mentioned all that had been put on the forum. Photos where shown on a screen and in at least 80% Ian was wearing his PWSTS baseball hat. It made me feel good. After the service I started to get some strange looks as I was wearing my PWSTS Blazer I felt like a special person then people started to come up to me and started to ask about the MN and PWSTS. Ann Ians wife was so pleased to see us there. We managed to raise $200 in 2 days, thats not bad.
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:43:49 PM
I too, would like to send my condolances to Ann and family. A bit late, but have been in France for a while.
Having just caught up with the site news, the warm and generous response from all the members of this site to all shipmates wherever in the world they are, warms my heart.
Roger.
-- Edited by Andy on Sunday 30th of January 2011 06:43:57 PM
I really don't know what to say - I am so overwhelmed with the messages on this site. Ian would have been equally overwhelmed.
Ian was diagnosed in June last year with Pancreatic Cancer and it came as a huge shock to both of us. He was in and out of hospital over the following 7 months and he put up a very brave fight - right until the end.
His favourite pass time was the PWSTS website - he often called on me to do his typing saying he was too slow. Sometimes I had no idea what he was talking about but I guess you all did.
I have tears rolling down my face as I am typing this and I will miss him dearly - we were married 38 years and did everything together.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words.