Iain Anderson Tinto

Passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Lakeridge Health Hospital in Bowmanville, Ontario.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1943, Iain spent his early years on the family farm in Coatbridge. Adventurous by nature, he left Scotland after completing his engineering degree and travelled across the world to Labrador City, NF—a young mining town still in its early days. It was there he met his first love, Shirley Tinto, with whom he raised three children.

After Shirley’s passing, Iain was blessed to find love again with Delilah (Dee) Butt. Together, they built a wonderful life filled with companionship, laughter, and shared adventures, making their home in Bowmanville, Ontario.

Iain retired after a dedicated 40 year career with IOCC, where he worked as an engineer. He approached every challenge with skill, determination, and an unwavering belief that anything was possible. If someone said a task “can’t be done,” Iain made it his mission to prove that it could be done. One of the most memorable examples of this spirit is the Tinto Bridge in Labrador City — a creative and enduring structure built from repurposed ore cars, a testament to his ingenuity and refusal to accept limitations.

A man who embraced life wholeheartedly, Iain found joy in dancing, travelling—especially to sunny southern destinations—soccer, skiing, tennis, art, drumming, and any adventure that promised a thrill. Whether ziplining or stepping out onto the edge of a skyscraper, he lived with a boldness and enthusiasm that inspired everyone around him. His humour, generosity, meticulous agendas, and zest for life made him unforgettable to all who knew him.

Iain is survived by his wife, Delilah Butt; his children, Andrew Tinto (Qiuju Wang), Angela Tinto Hamood (Doug Hamood), and Heather Simpson (Troy Simpson); his step daughter Angela Butt (Craig Barraball); his step son Lloyd Butt (Michelle Gendreau); and his grandchildren, Zoe Simpson, Jackson Hamood, Skye Tinto, and step grandson Christian Butt. He was predeceased by his parents, Alexander Tinto and Jane Blackwood; his brother, Alistair Tinto; and his former spouse, Shirley Tinto.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held at Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home, 53 Division Street, Bowmanville on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by a service at 2:00 PM. Refreshments will be served at 3:00 PM.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Delilah Butt and her family in Bowmanville, Ontario, for their unwavering love, support, and care over the past few years, especially when Iain needed it most. Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Sidra Abid and the kind, compassionate staff of the Adult Day Program in Bowmanville and Oshawa offered through Community Care Durham for their exceptional care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Iain’s memory to either of the two organizations that played a meaningful role in his care and support.

Community Care Durham – Adult Day Program (Bowmanville): Donations may be made through Community Care Durham’s online donation page (https://www.communitycaredurham.on.ca/donate/)or by calling Call: 905-668-6223 Ext. 264. Please specify “Adult Day Program – Bowmanville, in memory of Iain Tinto.”

Alzheimer Society of Durham Region: Donations may be made online (https://alzheimer.ca/durham/en?form=Donate&_lang=en), by phone at 905‑576‑2567, or by mail to: Alzheimer Society of Durham Region, 222 King St E, Suite 301, Bowmanville, ON L1C 1P6.

Iain will be forever in our hearts, remembered for his warmth, generosity, humour, and the joy he brought to every moment of his life.

Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.