Sadly Ian Garwood passed away shortly after coming ashore at the Datchet Flyer yesterday. Thoughts to his family. Ian was a big part of the class and will be missed.

Yes it was a sad end to a sunny force 2 - 3 day on Datchet Water. Hard to believe he is gone. Some fond memories over the years of a gentle and kind person, but great competitor. Last time I sailed with him was actually in the B14 rather than Merlin at Datchet a few years ago. As they say only the good die young. The world of sailing will be a lesser place without him. Thoughts to the Family and Jeremy who was with him at this time

 We have just read this and are deeply shocked and lost for words. Our thoughts are with Ian's family at this time

 Like Ross I was and rest of the Merlin fleet at Blithfield Shocked and saddened by the News of Ian's passing away.
He was one of the nicest guys you could possibly meet our thought are with Ian's family at this very sad time.

 

Such sad news...  He was the most lovely & gentle man.  
 
Our love and thoughts are with the Garwood family.  

Was lost for words when I heard

As everybody says he was just  a really nice person and I always enjoyed our chats about sailing and all things over a few glasses of wine looking over an Avon  sunset

this has knocked me for six......a quiet gentleman,articulate,do anything to help anyone,terrific competitor and knowledgeable to boot.....in his youth a brilliant porsche race mechanic, mr calvert and I were blown away at goodwood revival by who and what he knew...had a great outlook on life in general......we will all miss  him as a competitor and a friend....a very sad loss in the merlin world.....
 

So incredibly sad and shocked to see this - an absolute friend, someone who you thought would just always be there.
 
My love and thoughts to Jan and all of Ian's family
 

Had to re-read this. I can't believe it. I'm so sorry to hear we have lost Ian in the prime of his life. I've known him since the eighties and he was always a nice, engaging guy. Sail on....

Very sad news -many memorable years of racing against him our thoughts with Jan and family

Very sad news, thoughts are with his family.  Such a nice guy.

sometimes I would escape the bar at Salcombe and walk down to the harbour wall - on a few occasions Ian would be doing the same. We would talk and time flew by - by a very large margin, a better conversation than in  the late evening bar. Amazingly clever and articulate man. I will miss Ian
 

Joe's just told me the news and I'm in shock. As above, such a warm, caring and genuinely lovely man. Can't quite believe it. Big love to all of Ian's family. Xxx

Such a shock.  It's all been said - a lovely man with a wry sense of humour. Sincere condolences to all family and close friends who sailed and socialised with him. Thanks for the sailing tips Ian - they live on...

I'm glad he had been doing something he loved, will miss him.

Throw a pebble into a pond……

…just to confirm that the ripples of a truly decent guy spread far,- even to us in France.  When we first made it to Salcombe, 15 or so years ago, we ended up sharing a rent with the Calverts, & Ian,- who very generously gave up what was obviously a more comfortable bedroom so that we could enjoy it! 

I was deeply saddened apon hearing this news and in fact, still am. Genuine, very kind and extremely friendly. Win or lose on the water, he was always happy, always smiling.

At such a young age it really puts things into perspective-do what you like doing best with those that you love most.

If there is an open service-can someone post the details, please? I'd like to attend.

My thoughts to his family.

Deeply saddened with the loss of Ian. Muhammad Ali quote
 “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right.”
My thoughts are with his family.

Very sad.  I had known Ian for forty or so years, since he crewed his fathers Merlins, most notably Opium (ex Bob Deacon) at Aldenham Sailing Club, and enjoyed a pint and a chat at the Plough after Wednesday evening sailing.  He later went on to helm and own his own Merlins and even fitted out a Cross International 14 which we raced against one Salcombe Regatta.  He then went in the front end of various successful Merlins.
 
We all went our different ways, but he was always a friendly face in the crowd at Frostbite events and at Merlin Week, and I will miss our chats.
 
My condolances to those left behind too soon. 
 
 

Louisa and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a lovely, true friend. Our love and heartfelt condolences to Janine and the rest of his family.

This is hard to believe. Ian was a lovely guy a pleasure to sail against, a pleasure to drink with or just chat to. What a shock.
My thoughts are with Jannine and the family.

Like others on this thread when we heard this news it was truly sad. Ian was indeed a lovely, kind and very intelligent man. He would always pop up at different venues and be his friendly, quiet, thoughtful self. He clearly loved sailing and was always there to help. Our thoughts go out to Janine and his family too.

Heard the news yesterday.
Great chap to spend a bit of time with.
He will be missed by many. 

A sad loss to a well respected person.  He will be greatly missed. My condolence goes to all his family especially at this time of the year.

The following email has been received from Winston Lee regarding Ian's funeral arrangements. Please contact Winston if you are planning to attend and further details will be circulated once confirmed: [email protected] 
 
 
Good afternoon,

I am trying to let everyone know about the funeral arrangements for Ian. Jannine is trying to have everything organised for the 5th January in Weston Super Mare for an afternoon service followed by some food at a local venue.

Ian will be so missed by so many, as the forum echoes he was a gentle, kind, thoughtful and intelligent man who has left a huge vacuum in places all over the world.

As sailing was such a passion it would be wonderful to have as many of his fellow sailing friends and people he has touched through the years at his send off.
 

The following email has been received from Winston Lee regarding Ian's funeral arrangements. Please contact Winston if you are planning to attend and further details will be circulated once confirmed: [email protected] 
 
 
Good afternoon,

I am trying to let everyone know about the funeral arrangements for Ian. Jannine is trying to have everything organised for the 5th January in Weston Super Mare for an afternoon service followed by some food at a local venue.

Ian will be so missed by so many, as the forum echoes he was a gentle, kind, thoughtful and intelligent man who has left a huge vacuum in places all over the world.

As sailing was such a passion it would be wonderful to have as many of his fellow sailing friends and people he has touched through the years at his send off.
 

Full details as follows:

http://www.ian.garwood.muchloved.com/

Please contact Winston if you are planning to attend: [email protected] 
 

I realise now that this contact is sadly too late.... I used to work with Ian at Hexagon of Highgate BMW about 30 years ago, and we used to spend our lunchtimes discussing all thing sailing and Merlins, I raced a 5000 at the time and Ian asked me to Wembley to take a ride in a Merlin, I never managed to buy a Merlin back then but did buy Savage last year. I was trying to get in touch with Ian to swap stories and now realise that Ian has passed and I am astonished sad and sorry. What a great guy to have known and my condolences to his family. We did have a laugh and whether it was cars or boats the discussion was always entertaining. Goodbye my friend even if it is late.