January 18, 1956 - May 8, 2020
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ian Leung. He is survived by his father Norman Leung, his stepmother Lisa, his brother Owen (Ann), his sister Patti (Ken) Kemp and his nephew Jay. He is predeceased by his mother Joyce Jane Leung.
Ian was born in St. Joseph's hospital in Comox and started his life long journey of feeding his curious mind with Mrs. Kay Finch, a missionary teacher in Cumberland who taught him to read, write and play the piano. He excelled in school in Courtenay Elementary, Puntledge Park, Courtenay Junior and Vanier. He then completed his Bachelor of Science, qualified for Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and BSF.
He loved working in the forest industry along the B.C. coast. Early jobs included working with Owen Croy on the Genetic Improvement of Western Hemlock under Dr. M. Meagher. He collected seeds and scions in Bute and Kingcome Inlet and many island and coves in the area. He was a forest ecologist for the Biogeoclimatic Classification Program for the Ministry of Forest based in Williams Lake where he made enduring friends in Mary Guidici and Steve Taylor.
In 1983 he worked for Whonnock which became Interfor in Vancouver and Campbell River. While there, he met Suzanne Cameron who taught him to play badminton and enjoy life. After four years with Reid Collins Nursery in Aldergrove, he moved back to Courtenay to start his own forestry consulting firm. He had the highest regard for the staff, resources and logging camp of his best client, Canfor out of Woss.
In Grade 11, his brother-in-law Ken introduced him to biking by taking him on a two day trip from Courtenay to Victoria and then four ferries to Vancouver, Sechelt, Powell River and home. He was tired and hooked on biking. In 1990 Ian rode across the USA with Cycle America. It was his longest bike ride and his best holiday ever. It was broken into 12 optional weekly segments covering 5100 miles with 100 to 300 riders at a time. Biking with so many interesting new people - life could not be better.
Ian travelled extensively both for work and pleasure. He joined the Festival of Forestry tours to Great Britain, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and South Africa. He brought back many photos of trips to Egypt, Jordan, Israel (where he met his friend Elli), China, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Gilbralter.
Ian met his girlfriend of five years, Ann Tarves while broom busting in Cumberland. They had many adventures abroad and cherished their time together. Ian valued people above all and brought people together at "The Old House" by hosting countless family and friends from around the world. He was a welcome guest at dinners because he would arrive with his rubber gloves to wash dishes later. He loved and immensely enjoyed his badminton family. His over-sized kitchen table was the destination of many generations of intense Magic card games. He loved the outdoors and gave botany lessons on hikes and enjoyed summers at Comox Lake. He was eager to lend a hand at any time. Ian was thoughtful, kind, generous and loved people unconditionally. He is and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Swanson and Dr. Daws and the entire extraordinary medical team.