Obituary for Ian Coffin
Surrounded by his family, Ian Coffin passed away on April 6, 2022 after a short but devastating illness. We are heartbroken.
Ian moved through the world in circles of laughter and love. He was gregarious, convivial, nurturing, empathetic and kind. He made scores of friends wherever he went – friends of all ages and all walks of life. He offered instant solidarity and had a unique ability to make people feel at ease. A very caring soul, he would literally give someone the shirt off his back. He left everyone happier, wiser, and more balanced for having known him.
Ian had many talents, vocations and interests. He was an artist, a gardener, a poet, a skilled chef, a designer of waterscapes and a cat whisperer. He was a lover of music, and a collector of speakers and vintage radios. He was a civil servant, a social worker, a mediator, a volunteer. He was an expert at dad jokes.
For the last decade or so, Ian was a prolific producer of Ian Coffin soapstone and wood sculptures, and hand-crafted soapstone soap dishes. He was immensely proud of this small business and took great joy in the community of makers and artists to whom he belonged. Art was a way for Ian to share his creative gifts and to connect with people.
Ian is survived and deeply mourned by his soulmate and spouse Myra Tawfik, his children Meredith Coffin and Gaelan Coffin (Sarah), his brothers Terry Coffin (Marlene) and Eric Coffin (the late Hilda), his niece Emma Coffin and nephew Ben Coffin, his mother-in-law Ida Tawfik and the entire extended family. He was Super Ian to Gabrielle Elia Tawfik, Jessica Tawfik Hill (Jason, Charlie and Sully), Vivianne Tawfik (Ian Bodley, Nathaniel and Gabriel), Andrea Tawfik Nayer (David, goddaughter Ariella and Eli). Did we mention how heartbroken we all are?
The family held a private funeral. A celebration of Ian’s life will be held later this summer with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ian’s memory to the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation or Street Help Homeless Centre of Windsor.
Ian moved through the world in circles of laughter and love. He was gregarious, convivial, nurturing, empathetic and kind. He made scores of friends wherever he went – friends of all ages and all walks of life. He offered instant solidarity and had a unique ability to make people feel at ease. A very caring soul, he would literally give someone the shirt off his back. He left everyone happier, wiser, and more balanced for having known him.
Ian had many talents, vocations and interests. He was an artist, a gardener, a poet, a skilled chef, a designer of waterscapes and a cat whisperer. He was a lover of music, and a collector of speakers and vintage radios. He was a civil servant, a social worker, a mediator, a volunteer. He was an expert at dad jokes.
For the last decade or so, Ian was a prolific producer of Ian Coffin soapstone and wood sculptures, and hand-crafted soapstone soap dishes. He was immensely proud of this small business and took great joy in the community of makers and artists to whom he belonged. Art was a way for Ian to share his creative gifts and to connect with people.
Ian is survived and deeply mourned by his soulmate and spouse Myra Tawfik, his children Meredith Coffin and Gaelan Coffin (Sarah), his brothers Terry Coffin (Marlene) and Eric Coffin (the late Hilda), his niece Emma Coffin and nephew Ben Coffin, his mother-in-law Ida Tawfik and the entire extended family. He was Super Ian to Gabrielle Elia Tawfik, Jessica Tawfik Hill (Jason, Charlie and Sully), Vivianne Tawfik (Ian Bodley, Nathaniel and Gabriel), Andrea Tawfik Nayer (David, goddaughter Ariella and Eli). Did we mention how heartbroken we all are?
The family held a private funeral. A celebration of Ian’s life will be held later this summer with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ian’s memory to the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation or Street Help Homeless Centre of Windsor.