Born in Brandon, Manitoba on December 8, 1947, Ian was a quintessential prairie boy who hated the cold.
Ian spent his formative years in Brandon and later Winnipeg. He attended the University of Manitoba, where he earned two degrees, after which he pursued doctoral studies in international relations at the London School of Economics.
In 1974, following in the footsteps of his uncle Bruce Rankin, Ian joined the Foreign Service, but in his case, in the Immigration stream. Ian served at posts in Belgrade, Manila, New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. It was a time of great transformation for Canada’s immigration policy. Ian and his contemporaries changed the face of the country forever, welcoming new immigrants from around the world. Ian also served as a security advisor in the Privy Council Office and worked with the Immigration and Refugee Board. He was justifiably proud of his service to Canada. In addition to his active service, Ian was a founding member and active participant in the Canadian Immigration Historical Society, a volunteer organization which seeks to preserve and communicate the history of Canada’s immigration programs since World War II.
Ian was also actively involved with the disabled community in Canada and the United States, including the Special Education Advisory Committee (Ottawa), Make a Wish Foundation (Ottawa and Washington), and therapeutic horseback riding (Ottawa, Washington and Los Angeles).
Above all else Ian was someone who could connect with individuals across ages, cultures and political spectrums. It was those connections that he spoke about the most and that ultimately kept him strong throughout his life. He cherished the moments he spent with friends and family deeply and reminisced about them often, no more so than about his family.
Ian was predeceased by his parents, Gordon Keith Rankin and Dorothy Daymond Rankin (nee Cassidy), his brother Keith Rankin and his wife Patricia, his niece Siobhan Richardson and his stepson Peter Gibson. He is survived by his spouse Patricia Bailey, his son Anthony Rankin (Caroline Holmqvist), his daughter Sabrina Rankin, two grandchildren, Iris and August Rankin, his stepdaughter Emily Gibson, his sister Joan Richardson and his nieces and nephews Andrew Rankin, Catherine Banks, James Richardson, Raif Richardson, Cassidy Miller and Sprague Richardson and their families.
Ian died in Ottawa on September 21, 2025. The family will host a celebration of Ian’s life at a date and location to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ian’s memory to the Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities or the Parkinson Society Ottawa.
Livre de visiteurs
Susan Burrows
Mike Molloy
I worked with Ian for a couple of years and more than anything I recall his generosity, his unfailing good humour and zest for what ever task came our way. At one point were were tasked with escorting UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ogata , a very solemn personage but Ian kept her in stitches as we accompanied her from meeting to meeting. Dur his time in Washington he acquired considerable influence by linking American departments that did not communicate with each other and even participated in the drafting of American immigration legislation. Best parties, best lunches. I will truly miss his positive outlook and that wonderful smile. Our lives were better for him being in it.
Kurt F. Jensen
Ian was one of those individuals liked and respection by all who knew him. We never served together but often interacted professionally, both in immigration work and later in security affairs. He always gave wise advice and was always available to answer questions. He was a positive influence in the lives of all his friends, and will be missed.
Peter Duschinsky
I joined the Immigration Foreign Service with Ian in 1974. We became friends. Although we never worked together, we maintained our friendship over the years. For me, Ian was the quintessential gentleman. Whatever the situation, he knew how to behave. He was the model host, always discreet, always generous, always well-dressed. Kind to friends, and especially kind to his family. He met his life challenges -- and he had many -- with unfailing good humour. In Ian, we lost a truly good man.
Hector Cowan
During my several years in different incarnations of Refugee Affairs in Ottawa, I often had occasion to call on Ian to assist with various questions, from the search for solutions for individual cases, to discussion of wider policy issues with other parts of the Department, as well as, during his postings in the USA, with American refugee actors in government, the UN and IOM sectors, and the NGO world. Ian was invariably knowledgeable and helpful, and unfailingly courteous. He was a solid professional, carrying the work forward quietly and effectively.
Cheryl and Gerry Maffre
We have lost a good and special friend of some 50+ years standing. From our first meeting as recruits in ‘74 then first posting to Manila and reconnecting once we were all back in Ottawa, we’ve stayed in touch and socialized in many different settings with Ian and Pat.
Ian was a networker par excellence whether in professional or social settings. He was clearly committed to the immigration program and to the Canadian Immigration Historical Society. And dependable and helpful - he bought us our car when we returned to Canada in the days before web sites and emails facilitated such major purchases.
Our condolences to Pat, Sabrina, Anthony, Carolyn, Iris and August.
Gary Dubinsky
Ian was one of my primary contacts in the Immigration Department.A worldly guy with a great se se of humor and class act.We became friends and remained so after retirement.
Joyce Cavanagh-Wood
Ian was charming, handsome and smart. And that was just the beginning.... He had the ability to operate in so many different policy and operational environments, and make it look easy.His life included many personal challenges, which he
Managed with discretion, tenacity and aplomb. He never complained; always had a smile and a kind word. He left the world a better place and those who were fortunate enough to know will ever hold him dear.
Julie and Dave
Dear Pat,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn Ian’s passing.
Susan Howell & Roger Lucy
We are very saddened to learn of Ian's passing. He was a great friend and mentor to me (Susan) at PCO, and Roger knew him from their Winnipeg days. Ian was always so cheerful and positive; we're very glad to have known him. Our condolences to his family.
Ian was one of my first trainers when I went to NYC in 1978. He was always gracious and helpful. We kept in touch over the years but never worked together again. However, he always remained interested and interesting. I will miss talking to him at our CIHS annual meetings and wish his family peace and great memories.