Obituary of Iain Byron McJarrow Linsey

May 29, 1989 – Vancouver, British Columbia

December 1, 2021 – Bragg Creek, Alberta

Iain Linsey, beloved husband of Cara Linsey (nee Edy), of Bragg Creek, AB, passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the age of 32 years.

“End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it…white shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.” – Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)

Iain was born in Vancouver B.C. and entered this world with fists held high, a strong determination from the start.  His Auntie Anne played a huge role during Iain’s first months of life and they held a special bond. In 2001 the family moved to Edmonton, Alberta where Iain made a group of lifelong close friends affectionately known as “the guys”. After high school he completed a B.A. in History at Concordia University of Edmonton. It was there that he made many long-lasting friendships, and a shared interest in art history led to a first date with Cara to the Art Gallery of Alberta. Five years later, in 2013, Iain and Cara were married in the hamlet of Rosebud, Alberta; a place where they connected with family, found solitude, and adventure.

In 2017, the dream of moving to the mountains came to fruition. Within months of moving to Canmore, Willow, a Boston Terrier, joined the family and the family soon grew again - in August 2018, Iain and Cara welcomed their daughter Freya and in July 2021, a son Lars was born.  Iain loved his family deeply, was hands on in caring for them, loved making them laugh, and looked forward to sharing his interests and passions with his children; he often texted from work that he missed them and wanted to be home.

Iain was a pillar of strength and a voice of wisdom for many. An old soul, with a love of tradition and the ways of the past, he dreamed of a cabin in the woods, riding horses in the mountains, and living simply.  Iain’s artistic tastes were eclectic: he was moved by opera, classical, folk, and heavy metal. The music of Bruce Cockburn and Stan Rogers spoke to his soul and the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and Sid Marty to his romantic sense of adventure. He identified closely with Inspector Morse, dreamed of owning a red Jaguar, and agreed with Morse that “light beer is an invention of the Prince of Darkness”. Iain loved Russian and Norse history and lore. He found wonder and was happiest in the forest and mountains listening to the trees creak and groan in the peaceful quiet. And yet he was also interested in heavy equipment, trucks, and motorcycles, and could drive almost anything!

Iain was incredibly loving and protective of his family and held a deep caring for his close friends. His faith and love defined his spirit. We will all miss his thoughtful nature, generosity, passion, humour, and fierce loyalty. The family is overwhelmed by the love and generosity of extended family, friends, and strangers at this time of grief and sorrow.

Iain passed away tragically in a tractor accident while working with his father to clear fallen trees on their acreage.

Taken from us far too soon, Iain leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Cara, two young children Freya and Lars; parents Byron and Joanne; siblings Brynn (Matt) and Leigh (Johanna); Nana Viola; mother-in-law Ann; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wide circle of friends.

A memorial service will be held at a future date. To share memories or make a donation in support of Iain’s young family, please visit: https://gofund.me/a059efa3. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Iain Linsey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.