Ian McDonald
elevated rXZ8A April 18, 1933- July 24, 2026
elevated rXZ8A Visitation
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4H 4Y8
elevated rXZ8A Obituary
elevated rXZ8A It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Ian Archie McDonald. He passed quietly on a Friday morning 24th July, 2026 at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital in Toronto, Canada at only 93 years old.
elevated rXZ8A He was the Beloved husband of Mary. Loving father of Keith, Jamie and Darren. Son of John and Thelma McDonald, Brother of Heather, Monica, Gillie, Robin, and Archie.
elevated rXZ8A Adoring grandfather of Candace, Simon, Sean, Jacob, Zoey, Benjamin and Darrian. Great Grand father of Charlotte and Evelyn. Father In law of Michelle, Angelina and Mary.
elevated rXZ8A Brother-in-law of Lenny and Indra, David and Evelyn, Mark and Lina, Debra and Faham, Christopher and Pat, Gary, and Marilyn.Loving Uncle to Ian, Stephen, Fiona, Richard, Skene, Cathy, Dylan, Nicole, Dominique, Jethro, Anna, Nida, Alia, Janelle, Lisa, Shanon, Melissa, Melina and Ciera.
elevated rXZ8A Ian’s life has been filled with accomplishment. A graduate of Clare College, Cambridge University, he was a business executive for most of his life with the Sugar industry in Guyana. He was an acclaimed poet, novelist, playwright and columnist and also an accomplished tennis and squash player. He competed at Wimbledon four times—in 1952-1954, and 1959. He also captained the Cambridge, West Indies, and Guyana tennis teams, was named Guyana’s Sportsman of the Year in 1957, won numerous national men’s tennis titles and finished as runner-up in the Guyana National men’s squash championship in 1977. He has authored 13 books, from which he won the Guyana prize for Literature in 1992, 2004, 2012 and 2024. In addition to being a member of countless Boards, NGOs, and Organisations, he is also well known for his weekly column “Ian on Sunday” which appeared in the newspapers for over 30 years.
elevated rXZ8A Ian will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by his extended family and friends in Guyana, Canada, the U.K, the Caribbean and around the world. You are invited to share your loving memories and condolences below on the wall of this website.
elevated rXZ8A
I was fortunate to meet Ian in 2023, after following and admiring his literary work for several years. I was directing his seminal theatre work, ‘The Tramping Man’, one of the finest stage plays to come out of Guyana. His guidance, and the interior ideas he shared on the play during our production meetings, were invaluable to my interpretation and the eventual artistic success of the production.
I was privileged to call this gentle and wise soul; this iconic literary figure; this fine sportsman; this wise and kind human, a friend. I shall miss talking with him.
Angels sing you to your rest, Ian. Marcia and Henry Muttoo
A towering greenheart tree has fallen and the whole forest feels bereft – diminished. Intellectually gifted, and blessed abundantly with a superior creative imagination to his last days, Ian McDonald was generous with his learning. He shared it, in prose and poetry, with the world. He believed that reading and debate enhance intellectual rigour. He was passionate that the latter is fundamental to the pursuit of the best attributes of humankind- civilisation. He is our greatest man of ideas in the history of Guyana. His work is imperishable. My own life has been immeasurably enhanced – enriched – by this great, good and generous man, for over 40 years. Walk good Ian . I will miss our chats and laughter, but your work will endure and continue to educate us – eternally.
When would be the funeral and where
As a long serving research scientist at the West Indies Central Sugar Cane Breeding Station and eventually it’s Director (now retired) I was in contact with Ian for many years. I was impressed by his understanding and knowledge of both the sugar cane plant and the industry that it supported. I was equally impressed by his humanity and accomplishments outside of Sugar. A towering intellect. His kindness was always what was first noticed.
I pass my sincere condolences to his family at his loss
He will be greatly missed by many
Ian has made an outstanding contribution to the development of Guyana his work with the sugar industry where he championed for decades fair market access, IPED where he served as a Director for over 30 years providing support to micro and small businesses, in the literary world through his many publications and other activities. He was passionate about making Guyana and the world a better place for all. I wish to express my deepest condolences to his wife Mary and his children and the rest of his family. He has left a rich and profound legacy of which you should all be proud. May his soul rest in peace.
On behalf of the Bishops’ High School Alumni Association -Toronto, we offer condolences to Ian’s family.
He was indeed a Guyanese gem.
May he rest in Eternal
Peace.
Audrey Nichols
President
BHSAA -TORONTO
A renaissance man and a gentleman. I truly enjoyed our discussions on many matters over his final years. My family and I will miss him deeply.
We mourn the loss of my brother in-law,a wonderful person who will be surely remembered.
He did a lot for our family more especially my sister Marilyn and my late mother.
On another note,he entered a good family(ours)one of achievers.
His contribution to Guyana is immeasurable.
May he have everlasting peace and eternal rest.
It was great honor for me to meet Dr. Ian McDonald in 2015 when he so graciously accepted the invitation of our Pakaraima Writers Association to be a Guest Reader at our literary dinner event in Scarborough.
We all very much appreciated listening to him read from his works. His writings have enriched our Guyanese heritage.
He was a supporter of our group also. He generously gave us copies of his books for our book table. His poetry has been featured in the Pakaraima Writers 2022 Anthology: Scaling New Heights. In 2016, Ian was presented with the Pakaraima Literary Award.
I express my deepest condolence to his family, his wife Mary, his children and his extended family.
I will remember him as a gentle soul. May he be at peace.
.
Dear Robin, I was so sorry to learn of Ian’s death and offer you my deepest sympathy.
He was my brother Richard Boons godfather, Richard is visiting me in France at the moment and joins with me in offering his sympathy.Love Rosemary
Dear Mary,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Ian as a very kind person while working at Guysuco back in 1975.
Ian remains in my mind as a GUYANIST. as opposed to Guyanese. His dedication to a wide section of life in Guyana: commerce, the Arts and sports is exemplary. His Spirit Lives On
I will forever be grateful to Ian for bringing me into the world of sugar, following a chance meeting at a literary event in Trinidad. How fitting that this should have happened as a result of his lifelong commitment to the sugar industry and his love of literature!
I was immensely privileged then to benefit from his generosity in sharing his vast knowledge of sugar with me and, above all, his friendship.
Ian was so accomplished in so many different fields. Indeed, he always committed himself to excellence in his chosen pursuits. He truly was a West Indian Renaissance Man.
I shall miss our discussions on cricket, particularly the halcyon days of West Indies cricket. But I shall miss, above all, his warmth, his gentleness, his lyrical soul and his friendship.
To his beloved Mary and all the family, my love and deepest condolences.