EASTERBROOK, Ian K.

On Sunday October 4, 2026, our father passed away at Groves Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Dad was born in Sarnia, Ontario to John and Gwynnedd (Auden) Easterbrook. Survived by his sister Enid Fanning (Bob) of Guelph. Dad grew up in the little town of Courtright, Ontario. He then ventured to Upper Canada College in Toronto and graduated in the Class of 1958. His education continued to McGill University where he graduated in Class of 1961. After graduation Dad decided to head across the pond to England. He established a job at the BBC where he met the love of his life, Jane Elisabeth Smerdon. They married in January 1968, moved back to Canada and first settled in Guelph, Ontario. Dad started working at the University of Guelph Managing the Language Lab Services Department in 1972 until he retired in the late 1980s. Dad was also a founding member of Ed Video Media Arts Centre in Guelph in 1976. The family of 2 quickly grew to a family of 4. First welcoming Edward (Robyn) of Toronto and then Margaret (Wayne) of Burlington. In 1978 the family moved to an old stone house in the country near Drayton, Ontario. After years in the country The Easterbrooks settled in Fergus. Dad has always been an avid historian. He joined the Wellington County Historical Society in 1989. He then started volunteering at the Wellington County Museum and Archives in 1990. “As daughter, my Dad taught me many things over the years. However, 3 stand out the most. 1. How to tie a tie, 2. How to pour a beer properly and 3. Give a strong confident handshake.” Thank you to all of Dad’s friends, colleagues and neighbours for their love and support. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for April 2027. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wellington County Museum and Archives (https://www.wellington.ca/form/general-donation-form) or the Wellington County Historical Society (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/wellington-county-historical-research-society/), a gesture deeply appreciated by the family. Margaret and Edward. To view Ian’s memorial page and leave online condolences, please visit www.grahamgiddyfh.com.