Celebrating the life of
Ian Roger Heap
December 30, 1925 - December 16, 2006
Ian Roger Heap
Ian Roger Heap passed away just after midnight on Saturday December 16, 2006. He was the beloved husband of May Wager Heap.
Born in 1925 in Manchester , England , he was educated at Bury Grammar School . He served in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy from 1944 – 1947 as a Sub Lieutenant A RNVR pilot trained by the U.S. Navy.
Although he was raised by his widowed mother in industrial Manchester and was not extensively educated he went on to succeed as a captain of industry.
His business career was in property/casualty commercial insurance company management. From 1947 through 1963 he worked in Canada for Commercial Union. In 1964 he moved to the U.S. and became a citizen. He curled on the NY team in the nationals while living in Bronxville , NY . He later lived in Wellesley Hills , MA , and Summit , NJ . He spent some time living and working in the United Kingdom and more recently in Bermuda.
He was the first Chairman and CEO of XL Capital Ltd which was formed in 1986 in Barbados and shortly thereafter relocated to Bermuda. Ian later became a Director and eventually an Advisor until 2006. He was also the President and first CEO of Mid Ocean Reinsurance Company, which was formed in 1992 with the help of investment by XL and which later merged with XL.
Ian and May moved to Savannah , Georgia where they lived at The Landings. They were founding members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Skidway Island . Ian served the church in several capacities, including first Mission Council and later as Senior Warden and Capital Funds Campaign Chairman.
He was a former member of Baltusrol Golf Club and a member of The Landings Club.
He is survived by his children: Lesley Eyre of Palmdale , California ; Daintry Cleary of Gainseville , Florida ; Diane Davey of Maplewood , New Jersey ; and Ian R. Heap, Jr. of Savannah , Georgia . His family also includes his sons-in-law and his daughter-in-law: David Eyre, Christopher Cleary, Ian Davey and Meg Heap. His grandchildren are Daniel and Jennifer Dezotell, Jaime and Eric Patlovich, Clarice and Peter Davey and Ian III and Charlie Heap. He was also survived by his brother, Geoffrey W. Heap of Victoria , British Columbia , Canada .
After being hospitalized twice for esophageal and stomach issues, he underwent surgery on Friday, December 8, 2006. Initially the surgery was a success, however, his heart gave out a week later and he died in his sleep.
The service will be Wednesday, December 20, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Savannah , Georgia .
Please keep his soul in your prayers.
Hello The Heap Family, I met you and Ian in Bermuda when I relocated you. Enjoyed our time togther and remember fondly when we had tea at your house in Southampton. I am so sorry to hear about Ian. I will be thinking about you and your family and would love to see you again if ever you are in Bermuda. Please take care,
- Penny Carruthers, Paget, - Other
We are truly saddened to learn of Ian's passing.He's been a good friend both professionally and personal. We have wonderful memories of our times together. we send you our love and prayers at this sad time. Frank and Edwardine Tasco.
- frank and edwardine tasco, manhasset, NY
Ian, I am so sorry to hear about your father it sounds like he was a wonderful man. Please know that John and I are praying for you, Meg and your family.
- Angela E. Bradanick, North Olmsted, OH
May, Paul and I are so sorry to learn of Ian's passing. Ian was a good friend and we say God speed to Ian. Our prayers are with you and your family. Love, Peggy
- Peggy and Paul Wise, Savannah, GA
Dear Mrs. Heap and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Heap. Please know that I will have you in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days. love, Ruthie
- ruthie anderson, savannah, GA
Dear May and family, It was with great sadness that I learned of Ian's death. He was a fine man and I was privileged to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and I pray that God will give you the strength and sense of peace that is so needed at this time. With fond affection, Beverly McCamman
- Beverly McCamman, Elk Rapids, MI
Ian and Meg, I have been there and know how tough it is to lose a father. You remain in our prayers. Perry & Marsha
- Perry Brannen, Savannah, GA
Thank you for the golfing memories. You will be sorely missed!
- Jerry Page, Savannah, GA
Farewell Lancashire Lad. You were a true gentleman and I can feel very proud that you were a fellow Mancunion
- Derek & Pat Dawson, Savannah, GA
Hello The Heap Family, I met you and Ian in Bermuda when I relocated you. Enjoyed our time togther and remember fondly when we had tea at your house in Southampton. I am so sorry to hear about Ian. I will be thinking about you and your family and would love to see you again if ever you are in Bermuda. Please take care,
- Penny Carruthers, Paget, - Other -
We are truly saddened to learn of Ian's passing.He's been a good friend both professionally and personal. We have wonderful memories of our times together. we send you our love and prayers at this sad time. Frank and Edwardine Tasco.
- frank and edwardine tasco, manhasset, NY
Ian, I am so sorry to hear about your father it sounds like he was a wonderful man. Please know that John and I are praying for you, Meg and your family.
- Angela E. Bradanick, North Olmsted, OH
May, Paul and I are so sorry to learn of Ian's passing. Ian was a good friend and we say God speed to Ian. Our prayers are with you and your family. Love, Peggy
- Peggy and Paul Wise, Savannah, GA
Dear Mrs. Heap and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Heap. Please know that I will have you in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days. love, Ruthie
- ruthie anderson, savannah, GA
Dear May and family, It was with great sadness that I learned of Ian's death. He was a fine man and I was privileged to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and I pray that God will give you the strength and sense of peace that is so needed at this time. With fond affection, Beverly McCamman
- Beverly McCamman, Elk Rapids, MI
Ian and Meg, I have been there and know how tough it is to lose a father. You remain in our prayers. Perry & Marsha
- Perry Brannen, Savannah, GA
Thank you for the golfing memories. You will be sorely missed!
- Jerry Page, Savannah, GA
Farewell Lancashire Lad. You were a true gentleman and I can feel very proud that you were a fellow Mancunion
- Derek & Pat Dawson, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
