Ian died peacefully in the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, on the evening of Monday 9 March, after a short illness. He had been receiving treatment for infection for a few days, and was accompanied by friends in his final hours. He received the last rites shortly before his death. Ian’s instructions were for his Requiem to be celebrated at All Saints’.
Oceani divisi, Eucharistia conjuncti.
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.
The Reception of Fr Ian’s coffin into church will take place at 4.30 pm on Thursday 9 April.
The Funeral Requiem will take place on Friday 10 April at 11 am, followed by refreshments in the church hall.
The Committal will take place at Brewsterwells Crematorium at 2.30 pm.
A streamed version of the service should be available via this link:
www.westreamitfunerals.co.uk/michaeli
The stream will begin at 11am on Friday 10th April 2026. Please follow the instructions on the screen to attend. This service will stay available for 28 days after the service on the same link.
May the holy angels go before him, may the Mother of God and All the Saints pray for him.
A friend in all seasons.
Brian S.
From The Reverend Prebendary Gorran Chapman; Prebendary Emeritus of Exeter Cathedral and Chaplain of Truro Cathedral.
I have known Ian Michael for almost half a century, having first met him in Cambridge in the 1970’s when we were at Theological College together. I have remained in contact with him ever since, and I have visited him annually at St. Andrews until quite recently.
While much could be said about Ian, I can actually sum it up very succinctly. I would say that he was one of the most outstanding people I have ever met, and that in every place, every situation and at all times, he gave to all of us a perfect example of how to behave.
I knew Ian Michael for well over forty years from when I went to Dundee University as a student and he became my spiritual director. He was a wonderful godly and charming man whose friendship I valued deeply. The comment from Gorran Chapman captures him perfectly! It was a lovely coincidence that a few years later I became curate in the next door parish to him in Birmingham. His presence was such a reassurance to all who knew and loved him. We give thanks to God!!
Ian was our vicar for many years at St. Faith and St. Laurence, Harborne. A thoroughly wonderful man who was also a very close friend from his early days in Harborne through to the end of his life. He lived life to the full and really knew how maximise retirement. He kept so busy that we used to get tired just hearing about his trips around the UK and beyond.
In latter years we would often meet Ian at three choirs festival, go for a meal and attend a concert. We used to look forward to these meetings very much. Ian was fascinating company who always had an incredibly intelligent viewpoint on pretty well any topic / subject. He was always thoroughly good company and had a wonderful sense of humour.
At this year’s three choirs festival we shall raise a glass to Ian and hope he is with us in spirit. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
I’m saddened to hear of Ian’s death. He was always such a supportive person to me and to the congregation at All Saints’. May he be welcomed into heaven with lots and lots of angels singing his praises.
Ian and I were school classmates in the 1950s, and after decades of only occasional news, I was reunited with him at recent Banff Academy reunions.
He remained the same person: unfailingly kind, always deeply thoughtful, and showing when appropriate a quiet, innocent sense of fun and joy.
As they used to say in the old Iran: “his place will be very empty” in Banff this September.