December 5, 2023
In loving memory ~
Vandaelle, Ian (Van) Metro Alexander passed away on December 5, 2023, in Toronto, at the age of 33 with his family at his side. He is survived and will be sadly missed by his partner, Stephanie Hughes and her family; his parents, Rod and Margo of Lacombe; his two sisters and brother-in-law, Liz of Edmonton, Carolyn and Mark Seegobin of Peterborough, Ont.; his aunts and uncles; Brent and Helen Vandaelle, Ellen and Wayne Zawisza, David and Crissa Romanchuk; great aunts and uncles, Les and Audrey Hall, Bev Romanchuk and Olga Byrnes; numerous friends and colleagues; his "iguana daughter" Dali and faithful feline, Finnian.
Born in New Westminster, B.C., Ian was the middle child between his two sisters. At the age of 6, the family moved to Lacombe where Ian attended school, graduating from Lacombe Composite in 2008. During his teens he played hockey, worked part-time at the Co-op gas bar, wrote a weekly column for the Red Deer Advocate, and drove numerous old cars. After graduation, he moved to Toronto to study journalism at Ryerson University, where he wrote and edited for the University paper. For over a decade, he worked as a writer/producer for BNN Bloomberg, and at the time of his death, was a reporter/assistant editor for the financial post.
Ian will be remembered as a good friend who was always ready to lend a hand whether it was helping a friend move or cheering up those around him over good food and even better conversation. Under his easy going exterior, was a complex character who felt things deeply, a gifted writer and an extremely well-read person who liked to study economics and world politics. You can honor his memory by simply being kind, sharing books and knowledge, or by contributing to your local animal shelter.
The family would like to thank the ICU team as St. Joseph's Hospital, Toronto for their excellent care as well as Father Boris Hemon and Father Jinto for their support during this difficult time. Please join us on Saturday, January 13th, 2024, at the Lacombe Legion upper hall between 2-4 p.m. for an informal gathering to honor Ian.
"Given a choice between grief and nothing, I'd choose grief." -- C.S. Lewis.
Condolences may be made by visiting
www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca
Service Details
2:00 PM