Ian Thomas Guns, Age 59, passed away on March 20th 2025 in Vancouver, BC.

Ian was born in North Vancouver in 1966 and grew up in West Vancouver and Kitsilano, as well as Australia, where he moved when he was 17 and lived for several years. His passion for music and technology as well as talent with his hands led him to work in stereo/sound system design, carpentry, and eventually as a film technician in Vancouver.  He loved to travel and took advantage of every opportunity to venture around the world, including a stint in Nova Scotia with his East Coast family and a year in Australia with his wife Emma and their two kids. His reputation as a camera crane technician also took him on adventures to various sets and productions, where Ian was well loved and respected.

Ian's passions were broad and his appetite for information well-known. There was little he didn't know about Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa, how to rebuild a Range Rover or a deck, wire a sound system or string a guitar. He loved his label maker, Vegemite on toast, and good Australian Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. And no-one could do a better Monty Python silly walk. If you were Ian's friend, you knew you had someone who would be there for you - whether it was wiring to fix, advice to give, or just company on a walk in the woods.

More than anything else, Ian loved his family - wife Emma, children Megan and Matthew, parents Brian and Lynette, sister Linda, and all the other extended family that made up his rich life - Daniel, Patty, Alex, Arye, Alberto, Chris, Clare, Lauren, Scott, Alyson, Leah, Ian, Marian, Bob, Ruth, Simon, Tim, Ben, Janet, Richard, Kate, Joe and baby Stanley. And of course Pepper the dog.

At 58, Ian came face-to-face with a terrifying monster, battling bravely and undaunted. When diagnosed in Oct 2024 with an incurable brain cancer (known as glioblastoma) his doctors set about the impossible task to help him fight it and he fought hard, earning the nickname 'gladiator', until immobilized. His last days were spent with his son and wife, caring for him at home alongside the Ravensong palliative care team.

He took back control on March 20th 2025, his 59th birthday. His family stayed up late with him, listening to some of his favourite albums and covered him in hugs and kisses. After his kids had gone to bed, his soul took a lap around the world saying his goodbyes. He passed away peacefully and painlessly at 4:00 am in his wife's arms at home, surrounded by the love of his family.

He lives on in all our hearts and the memories that he has created will remain with us always. With his spontaneity and alacrity he made us live, with his stories and his goofiness he made us laugh, and with his hugs and smiles he made us love. Adventurous and creative to the core, Ian was a man who was just down right impressive in his ability to build crazy stuff, create life's precious dreams and bring fun to a work, social or even clinical situation. He was family focused and yet also gave the very best of himself to the film industry.

To his children, Ian was not only the most loving Father, but also their greatest friend. He was known to wake his children with music and a joyful "carpe diem!". On weekend mornings, he would often greet his family in the kitchen with delicious crêpes or waffles, always with a big smile and a bear hug. Whenever they found themselves in trouble, they could always count on him to come to their rescue without judgement. He was known to be solution-oriented and able to think outside the box; a fearless and all-knowing superhero to his kids. Ian refused to be a hypocrite, never passed up a hug from his children, and always said "I love you". He succeeded in raising two kind, capable, and responsible humans, instilling in them good values and never losing sight of what really matters. Whenever Ian would ask "what do you want to be when you grow up?", his kids have always responded the same: "happy". Thanks to their Dad, his children will never know how it feels to be unloved, or unsuccessful, as they will forever define success through happiness. 

Ian's departure presents on a scale that is cataclysmic in proportion as he leaves behind his beloved family, including his mother Lynette, father Brian, sister Linda, and the lights of his life Megan (age 26) and Matthew (age 24), as well as the love of his life Emma Guns.

Before he passed, Megan asked him what he wants from his children when he leaves this world. He sat and thought for a while before stating, "to be inspired". He has and always will be an inspiration. Let his words be something that not only his children live by, but that all of us live by every day for the rest of our lives.

Brave and undaunted, one-of-a-kind, the legend Mr. Ian Guns.

'Forever in love, our hearts are on fire. One day I will pass to the space where you are. When I do I will find you, I will love you once more.'

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