He born July 27, 1977, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at Ed’s House Hospice (Cobourg), after a strong and courageous battle with cancer.
Beloved husband of Nicole (Easson), and a devoted father to Emma (Isaac), Payton, Leigha, and Christian. Ian was a loving son to Noel and Carol (Chatten) Kelly, and a cherished brother to Nicole (Andrew). He was a proud family man, with many family members, and friends who were like family.
Ian’s love for motors started young and never faded. Building and driving Jeeps, with big tires and finding mud. From Trudeau Park to back trails wherever he could find them, he was always chasing the next challenge— trying not to get stuck or rescuing others in the mud. He loved country music, a good laugh, and had a quick wit with just the right amount of sarcasm. A straight shooter, Ian told it like it was.
His hands were rarely clean, grease under his fingernails from fixing, tinkering, and working with tools he knew inside and out through his career at Diemo, Cargowall, Red Path Sugar, to owning his own business; RNJ Tires. Through his career and hobbies, he was always fixing and building, and you wouldn’t find him far from a Monster energy drink or a Tim Hortons coffee.
Above all, Ian had a huge heart. He touched the lives of many friends and family, and his love, strength, and unmistakable coloured hair, will live on through each of his beautiful children. As the song says, “A Country Boy Can Survive”, and Ian’s spirit certainly will.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
A Celebration of Ian’s Life will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 from 1p.m. – 4p.m. in the MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre, Cobourg.
Celebration of Life
MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre
30 King Street East, Cobourg
Monday December 22, 2025
1:00pm – 4:00pm
