Ian Woodhouse
Ian died suddenly on 4th November. He felt unwell and called an ambulance, sadly he died shortly after arrival in hospital . He leaves a young daughter, Emma.
He will be sadly missed.
If you would like to leave message click on 'comments' below.
posted by Elektron1 @ 11:09 AM
23 Comments:
Ian was the best neighbour you could wish for. A real asset to this village and it's community. A genuinely nice chap and our hearts go out to Emma and Ian's family.
Alistair, Mandy & Millie Clinton
I have known Ian since he and I were 16 years of age. I loved him as a brother and we had many a scrap, laugh and beer together. I am so sorry to hear of his departure he had such integrity and was an asset to the world.
Sadly janice
I'm so sorry to hear that Ian has passed away, and my thoughts are with his family and other friends who can't believe it either. Ian would always send me a birthday card at the end of August, which always made me smile as my birthday is in July, but that was Ian all round - the thought was always there even if the timing was a bit out.
Alison Bovey
I have lost a wonderful person from my life. Over 21 years, Ian was my co-worker, my very good friend and until a few weeks ago, my partner. He had so many good qualities, not least, loyalty, compassion, kindheartedness and generousity to a fault.
He loved his village and his community and his friends and neighbours. You were his extended family and gave him the support and love he needed when he needed it most.
We had vowed to remain good friends for the rest of our lives. It is my deep regret and sorrow that his life has been cut short so suddenly.
I would like to think that he is now a Guardian Angel for little Emma.
God Bless you Sweetheart.
Nicki
Ian was always so committed to Doddington and the people who lived here. He and I worked together on many projects over the years - Parish Council, Village Appraisal etc. He had a genuine affection for so many people and a real passion for so many just causes. He was such a genuinely caring person who on a personal level as a friend I will miss so much. All my love and best wishes go to Emma and Ian's family.
I write as the chair of the charity Families Need Fathers. This as some of you may know is the agreed-to-be-legitimate voice of parents who have to live apart from their children. Ian initially came to us over the issues he had over the care of his daughter, Emma whom he loved dearly and for whom he was acknowledged to be a good and loving carer. You will know the sad story and while I wish we could have helped more at least we were one of those who encouraged him to cope with the difficulties. He repaid us by adding some voluntary work for us to all the things he already did. We are saddened and shocked by what has happened. The loss will be felt most keenly by Emma and Nikki, but also by our trustees and members, and myself personally.
Anthony Douglas, the Chief Executive of CAFCASS, one of whose employees did a sad disservice to Emma and Ian, was informed of his death and sends his condolencies to his family and friends.
Please inform me of the arrangements. I am about to be briefly hospitalised, but we would certainly want to be represented or send a message.
John Baker.
I met Ian on Skyros in 1999. He became a very close friend and member of a group that formed that year. Since then we have all been through a great deal, both individually and together, and have supported each other in many ways. We all shared in the delight of Ian in the birth of Emma and followed, with ever increasing concern, the turn of events which led to his protracted legal battle and the enormous stress this clearly put him under.
I shall always remember Ian. The one word that comes most forcibly to mind to describe him is "gentle". He was so easy to be with and he was such a kind and understanding companion.
The group is meeting for a weekend in less than a fortnight and we were hoping that Ian would be there. He will missed to degree difficult to explain but we will use the weekend to celebrate his life and our friendship.
Ian was a genuine honest nice guy I have only had the privellage of knowing Ian for about two years but in that time I found his friendship and working ethics an insperation his generosity was always humbling his love for little emma was unequalled and to quote another " he fought with the heart of a lion and the passion of a tiger to see her even thogh he was a quiet unassuming man" I We have lost a true friend. He was 1 in a million I am truly privaleged to have said I knew him, my heart felt sympathy goes to little Emma his family and Nicky all whom he loved like no other could
IAN WAS NOT ONLY A GOOD FRIEND TO US HE WAS PART OF OUR FAMILY WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME HE EVER CHANGED A NAPPY IT WAS FOR JAMES HIS GOD SON AND THEN WAS AN EXPERT WHEN ADAM ARRIVED A BRILLIANT BABYSITTER HE LEAVES A BIG VOID IN OURLIVES.
MICHELLE JAMES & ADAM
I have known Ian through Families Need Fathers for several years and helped him to continue in his pursuit for justice in his tragic and appalling situation even as far as the European Courts.
Throughout all of this, he gave his time freely and without complaint to helping other people to deal with their own difficult situations and never lost his sense of humour and desire to put right some of the wrongs that befall others who have difficulty in seeing their children.
His love for Emma exceeded any other and he endured pain and difficulties which would have reduced anyone else to tears just to spend a few precious hours with her. His devotion to her was without compare.
We worked closely together helping other people who called on us for support and he never once held back from giving everything he could to assist them. His attention to detail and administrative skills were perfect in dealing with the courts and he was in his element preparing bundles of paperwork to take to court. How many times did I hear those words 'Can we do anything else to help?'
We have indeed lost a friend, but more tragically, Emma will never grow up to bask in his love and care. To have a father like Ian is something that we would all have wanted.
Emma was prevented from having Ian play an equal role of father to her in a heartbreaking and unfair way, and so ultimately had too little of what was precious to them both, Daddy.
Simon
We only had the privilege of knowing Ian for 3 and a half years but we are so glad to have known him at all. We met Ian at ante-natal classes and shared in the transition to parenthood with him. Ian is a close and dear friend and we feel a huge void has opened up in our lifes since his departure from this life.
Ian was heart broken when he could no longer provide a rightful share of his daughters care but he never gave up hope of a resolution but continuted to work tirelessly towards that outcome until the end. Ian was a man of integrity and honour and was an inspiration. For us the most notable quality was his empathy and unlimiting patience with Emma, Jacob, our son adored Ian and will miss spending time with Ian and Emma as will we all.
Ian, we will see you again, at the folk festival in the sky, you always bought the first round,so get the beers in!
Love and light, take angels flight.
Jackie, James and Jacob
xxx
Ian was my oldest friend going back to college days back in 1976.
I regarded Ian & Doddington as a home from home over the last 15 odd years & I am totally heartbroken.
Dave Cairns
A really genuine, kind, organised guy who had to go through some difficult times these last years and was an inspiration. Mine's a Spitfire, mate.
John Drummond
I first met Ian 18 years ago when i had the honour of becoming his neighbour, we soon became great friends and shared many happy time's over a beer or a curry on a friday nite. He was such a caring guy and had time for everyone and give so much, it is so unreal that we have losts such a great bloke at such a young age with so much more to give. My thoughts go out to his Mum and Emma at this sad time.
Take care mate
Rob
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I met Ian through his amazing efforts fighting for his daughters rights to a dad. He was a good man. My thoughts must now lie with Nicola, and his girl, Emma.
Both may be feeling loss and grief and anger and bewilderment and a thousand other emotions that I cannot articulate. Also for his Mum - who should never outlive their offspring.
I am deeply ruffled by his departure - we had a cuzza round his house just a couple of months ago and it was such a good evening.
My thoughts are with you.
Shimmeron
I have know Ian since our glorious fun days at Loughton college in the 70s
ive hundreds memories, such as the time he arrived at a party dressed as a Viking, he had nearly been arrested as he was carry a real axe !
what about the secrets of his Zen cleaning system, which I witnessed in amazement as with no apparent effort everything was spotless and tidy in ians world
The sanctuary of ians house, bag end I used to call it, the countless weekend trips were a lifeline and an inspiration
I knew les at the Pub had many walks around beautiful doddington
I only spoke to him a few weeks ago
he was in good sprits and he sent me a email a few days before his tragic
death with the words
ok old buddy
what a vacuum your passing leaves
still as woody would say ok chaps
mines a pint of Abbott
I have known Ian for 30 years, since mad college days. I feel shocked & heartbroken at his death. Warm, gentle, kind, caring, thoughtful & always first to get the round in. The awful events of the last few years have robbed us all of a truly wonderful human being. My heart goes out to Mrs Woodhouse, first to have lost Bill her wonderful husband far too early, and now Ian - you couldn't wish for a more perfect son. To little Emma, who will probably never know how special her daddy was.
Ian, you always told me that I saved you from alcoholic poisoning on your 18th birthday by making you sick, but no-one could save you from the nightmare of the last few years. You spread your light wide my friend, the world is a darker place now.
Absolutely feeling a deep emptiness at the loss of such a wonderful guy. Everyone knows how good this man was and everyone knows how rare that particular quality of goodness in life. I have known Ian since I was sixteen, we haven't spoken much in the last ten years but still kept in touch. A few weeks ago I was in Whitstable and called to see if he was in. He was on his way our to a garden party but we agreed to meet up in London soon, to celebrate our birthdays which fell within six days of each other. I am 50 tomorrow and there is something of the world missing, before I always knew Woody was out there doing good and somehow making sense of the world for all of us. As I said to Nessa when she phoned to tell me, I am heartbrokenly sad, not because someone has died, we all have to die, but because entirely the wrong man has been taken from this world. So many memories of you my friend, all of them good. I will never forget you.
I first met Ian at school when we were both 13 years old. He was a good and loyal friend, and although we ended up living some distance apart we kept in touch, though sadly I had not seen him for some months. You never expect not to have that opportunity to meet up again. I still can't believe we won't be able to go for a pint or a curry.
My thoughts go out to Irene - no parent should outlive their child. And so sad that Emma, to whom he devoted the last few years of his life, will not grow up surrounded by his love. It's too cruel for words.
His character is summed up so well by all those above, I can add no more. Goodbye old friend.
Mike Usher
Carol Cranfield said.....
I have known Ian since I was 16 years old, and we have been the best of friends ever since. I find it hard to believe he has been taken from us all. He was one of the nicest people I know, so caring,kind and passionate for everything he believed in. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his lovely mum Irene, and his darling little daughter Emma who he loved so much. You will live in my memory forever,and never will I forget such a good friend
Love
Carol
The village has suffered a great loss with the sudden death of Ian. Councillor Ian Woodhouse, my Vice Chairman, gave me much support and help during my current term as Chairman.
Ian moved to Doddington some 22 years ago and set up home. Ian didn’t just live here he adopted Doddington and cared so much about the village, villagers and his friends here. He devoted a great deal of his time to the Playing Field, Village Appraisal, Parish Council, Highway Matters including Traffic Calming and helped in many other areas including the auction and Firework Display.
Ian was a quiet, gentle person who very seldom complained. He loved a pint or two at the Chequers and one of his great passions was folk music. It was the quiet side of Ian’s personality that enabled him to do so much without receiving the real recognition he deserved.
On a personal note Ian was a very good friend to me and Liz and often persuaded me to stop by at the watering hole for a pint or two (as if I ever needed the persuasion!)
Thanks Ian -- we will miss you.
Ian you did reach the status of being a village local!
Graham Cuthbert
Hello all:
I am from the U.S. and I am seeking snail mail pal from a small village-I am 32 with 4 kids, great hubby,been to England twice loved it!Would love to write to any age person-used to write to great grandmother before she passed away and miss it-if you like writing letters & getting ones in return I'd love to hear from y'all-
Kalee Lagomarsino
P.O. Box 409, Eagle Pt. Oregon
97524 USA
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