MIDDLER, James Ian Findlay

August 6, 1938 — February 15, 2025

The family of Ian Middler, age 86, is sad to announce his passing on February 15, 2025. He is survived by his much-loved and devoted wife, Caroline; daughters Rosalind (Mike), Katharine (Jason) and Anne; his six grandchildren, Graeme and Claire Walkinshaw, IsIa, Reagan and Marlowe Chong, Juniper Middler; and his beloved cat, Sage. He was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Gladys Middler, his sister, Dorothy Thomas and her husband, David.

Ian was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on August 6, 1938. He graduated from Aberdeen University and taught Grade 7 at Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen for six years before immigrating to Kelowna, BC, Canada in 1967.

Ian taught English, Drama and Western Civilization for more than 30 years at Kelowna Secondary School, with a brief spell at Mt Boucherie. At KSS, he coached the senior girls’ field hockey team, who won three Provincial championships under his leadership. He directed Up the Down Staircase, Flowers for Algernon and Snow White, a pantomime for KSS and was a lifetime member of KSS’s NightOwl Theatre.

His love of performing led to many roles with Theatre Kelowna, his favourites being Fagin in Oliver, and the MC in Cabaret. His love for Gilbert and Sullivan resulted in him playing the Major General in Pirates of Penzance, Koko in the Mikado and Jack Point in the Yeoman of the Guard for Kelowna Musical Productions.

A funny and witty raconteur, he was in demand as an MC and after-dinner speaker. After his retirement from teaching, he wrote a book on public speaking and gave talks and workshops on Humour in the Workplace.

He was a dedicated teacher and coach, a fine actor, writer, musician, loyal friend, and a creature of habit. A fixture at the Kelowna Yacht Club with friends on a Friday, he was proud to be the second-longest club member of 57 years. He could be seen jogging down Abbott Street for decades, until the jog became a shuffle and earned him the nickname “Speedy” from the boys next door. Lately, he walked just one side of the block using his cane as, stubborn Scot that he was, he refused to use a walker. He enjoyed meeting former students on those outings, invariably remembering their names and never quite believing that many of them had now retired and were grandparents.

In his younger years he played grass hockey in Scotland, and was a fine goalkeeper despite his poor eyesight, which also made it difficult for him to see what was happening on the far end of the pitch. His love for Scottish football, or soccer, was a lifelong obsession. His final decline coincided with the news that his beloved club, the mighty Glasgow Rangers, had been knocked out of the Scottish Cup by lowly Queens Park!

He loved planning and going on trips to Italy, and delighted in seeing the Renaissance art which he had introduced to his students while teaching Western Civilization. In later years, when travel became too arduous, he enjoyed being at home, religiously reading every newspaper, repeatedly watching the same TV programs and films, spending time with visiting family, and appreciating the care provided by his wife and care aide, Tara, which became more complex towards the end of his life. Above all, he was a man who loved his family and felt great pride in the accomplishments of his three daughters and relished hearing stories about his much loved grandchildren. A man well satisfied with his life.

Caroline and his family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff on 3 MU at Kelowna General Hospital for the loving care given to Ian in the last month of his life, and the compassionate support they provided for Ian’s family.

Ian believed in helping those less fortunate, be it children, the elderly, animals, or those who were homeless or hungry. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Ian’s life will be held in May. Details to be announced at a later date.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.