Ian Azard Niamath

IAN AZARD NIAMATH

June 2, 1943 – October 14, 2025

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ian Azard Niamath, after a valiant battle with cancer this past year.

Predeceased by a son, Ivan, a daughter, Kira, and a brother, Gordon, Ian is survived by two brothers, Kent and Albert (Lidia), and his sons, Nikko (Rebecca) and Tristan, four grandchildren, Madison, Liam, Kaleb and Jayme, and a great grandchild, Benjamin, as well as his very close friend who took care of him throughout his illness, Deborah Bissoondatt and her daughter Sarah.

Ian was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. His family moved to England when he was 14 and after high school he studied architecture at the Regent Street Polytechnic Institute in London. He immigrated to Canada in 1974 establishing his own architectural practice in Nanaimo in 1980, and over the past 45 years he designed many important buildings in the city and region. Ian’s greatest legacy, and one of which he was justly proud, is the work he did on rejuvenating the Nanaimo Waterfront and walkway, from an industrial environment into the liveable attraction it is today.

Throughout his life in Nanaimo, Ian served the community as a volunteer, giving of both his time and expertise. He was a member of Rotary, and served as President of the Nanaimo North chapter. He was a member of the board of the Nanaimo Art Gallery for many years, serving as both Vice-President and President. He was a member of the board of the Dragon Boat Festival and Foundation, and a member of the Multicultural Society.

He was also a long-standing volunteer of the Nanaimo Theatre Group and enjoyed creating the photo-portraits of the cast for new productions.

Ian was also a member of the Cavallotti Lodge in Nanaimo for many years and recently completed the design and plans for a new facility on the Lodge grounds. It is hoped that his vision will be brought to fruition in the years ahead, providing another legacy for the community he cared so much about.

In his professional capacity Ian served on the Advisory Committee of the City of Nanaimo Planning Department, and was a member of the Design Panel for both the City of Nanaimo and the City of Parksville.

In 2014 Ian was given the “Honour in Culture Award” by the City of Nanaimo in recognition of his dedication, tremendous contribution and support of the development of the cultural fabric of the city – an award that meant a great deal to him.

Ian’s interests in life were many and varied. He had a lifelong passion for photography both as an art form, and as a way of documenting his experiences, especially when he travelled and saw new places and architecture. The quality of his work led to photographs he had taken being included in architectural publications.

In earlier days he was an excellent squash and badminton player. He grew up with and loved cricket. Ian was President of the Nanaimo Cricket Club from 1991 until 2005, when its activities ceased. Off the field he contributed enormously to the field’s clubhouse which stands proudly in Beban Park, designing it for no professional fees and arranging for donations of work and materials from local companies for its construction, and for the laying of an artificial pitch. In later years Ian played occasionally for Arrowsmith Cricket Club, keeping this up into his late seventies. He is greatly missed by cricketers up and down Vancouver Island.

Ian was very well known and respected throughout the community, both in his professional life and as a volunteer. He will be sorely missed by his many friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at 2:00pm at the Nanaimo Seventh-day Adventist Church located at 2400 Highland Blvd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 3N7.