“THERE isn’t a day that goes by when we don’t think of him and the laughter he brought us” – those were the words of the family of Ian Kirwan who have opened up to the Standard about their loss.
Ian died after been stabbed outside Asda in Redditch last March.
In January a teenager was convicted of his murder. He is due to be sentenced next Wednesday (February 15).
Speaking this week, the 53-year-old’s family said: “We still can’t comprehend the loss of Ian.
“That loss was made easier by the support and kindness we were shown at our lowest moments.
“Especially from Thomas Brothers Funeral Directors, and our police family liaison officer.”
During the trial, the family said they felt Ian was reduced to just a name.
“We want to humanise Ian, and show how warm and kind he was to his friends, family and colleagues.”
The family has also shared this selection of pictures to the Standard.
Ian worked as a software engineer contractor for Jaguar Land Rover, a job he loved and was incredibly passionate about.
They said Ian was an accomplished musician who loved music and was a talented guitar player.
He was also passionately concerned about caring for the planet and justice for others – they said he had more than his fair share of compassion and showed it every day.
Ian was avid animal lover who loved his rabbits and cat and spoiled them rotten, giving them attention way before greeting his wife.
He also often rescued and cared for injured and lost animals.
“Ian was such a light in our life, he was a joker, always smiling and making people laugh.
“But in this terrible time we have really appreciated the warmth of so many people who have come together to support us.
“We send our absolute gratitude to the off duty nurse who tried to save Ian and who was there with him at the end, to the paramedics who attended, the police and our family liaison officer, the staff at Asda, to all of our friends and family who have reached out and to the wider Redditch community and beyond.
“We’re so grateful for everyone who has shown their support either in messages directly to us or via social media and to all those that have laid flowers at the scene.”
