Obituary of Ian Gerard Graham

August 16, 1961 - Iserlohn, Westfalia, Germany

March 28, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Ian was born on August 16, 1961, in Iserlohn, Germany to Elizabeth Ann Murphy (nee Parsons) and Richard Gerard Graham. Two years later, he eagerly welcomed sister Nanda into his life, followed soon after by stepfather Jim Murphy and stepsiblings Brad, Sheri, and Erin. Stepmother Jill Graham (nee Jamieson) joined the family fold, and the birth of his half-sister Jennifer was a joyous event in his adolescence.

Ian was an “army brat” throughout his childhood and adolescence, and lived in, among other locations, Carrying Place, Oslo, Rome, Ottawa, and Montreal. His sister Nanda was his constant companion during these peripatetic years.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Carleton University in Ottawa and had a long career as a software developer known for his love of elegant code and fastidious documentation.

In 1997, Ian married his first wife, Katrin Meitsch of Leipzig, Germany. They lived together in Ottawa, England, and Calgary. Their son Liam was born in 2003.

In 2006, Ian married Julie Sedivy, who was then living in Providence, Rhode Island and who moved to settle with him in Calgary in 2008. Ian became a beloved stepfather to Kate and Ben.

Ian’s “family” was by no means limited to his official relatives. His life became interwoven with the many friends who shared his love of the outdoors and challenging sports. Throughout his life, Ian took up: sailing, windsurfing, skydiving, rock and ice climbing, scuba diving, mountain biking, skiing, hiking and scrambling, whitewater kayaking, and most recently, snow kiting. He undertook all these activities with his own personal blend of adventurousness, obsessiveness, caution, zest for life, and commitment to those with whom he partnered in these sports. The inevitable injuries that occasionally resulted never kept him down for long.

Perhaps Ian’s greatest legacy is in the way in which he shared his love of the outdoors with those who were less familiar with his favorite activities, and the way in which he gently encouraged everyone around him to drink in the beauty of nature while expanding their abilities and gaining confidence in themselves. He has enriched the lives of so many.

Ian will be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered in various locations that held great meaning to him and those who loved him. Friends and family who wish to share their memories of this kindest and warmest of men are invited to a Celebration of Life, which will be held on April 16, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Please contact family members for details. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Calgary Association for Disabled Skiers and Rocky Mountain Adaptive, two organizations with which he volunteered in recent years.

In living memory of Ian Graham, 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.