" Our deepest sympathy to Sonja , Alice , Bianca , and the extended family. We met Ian and family in 1993 while on holiday in the Bay of Islands when our kids got together in the play area at the camping ground. We'd been friends ever since , but with moving back to Melbourne , over time visits to Auckland became less frequent. I caught up with Ian from time to time over a meal and a drink, and we exchanged the occasional email about the state of NZ or Oz Rugby etc. Ian was a real gentleman , highly intelligent, had obviously been a very good sportsman in earlier years , and had a great general knowledge about politics and the world in general. He was a gardener a handyman and could even turn out a decent pizza on a Sunday night. He was great company and it saddens me deeply that I can no longer call or send him an email and arrange to catch up if I'm ever in Auckland again. But more importantly he left a great legacy with children and grandchildren whom he was obviously so proud of. Vale Ian Phil Nolan , Jenny Wales , Amy and Hugh pdnolan.1@gmail.com "

"Ian, It has been a pleasure to meet you, fun to play football with you, amazing to watch your football skills, uplifting to talk to you, and now sad to see you go so early! You will stay in my memories as a kind and friendly person who can easily find a bridge to talk to anyone, person with a big smile on your face. Rest in peace Ian! Renata"

"I first met Ian in January 2010 in the domain when playing football with people from the university. We became friends when we regularly played football over the next 5 years. He had beautiful technique and good vision with his passing. Always smiling with a great sense of humour, the game of football was always better with him being in it. You could tell he loved the sport and getting out for a game no matter the weather. After a good game of football what more could you want than a cold pint in a relaxing environment? Ian introduced me to Galbraith's Alehouse, and we would regularly grab a cold beer and talk about West Ham and analyse the game or talk about work or the world in general. He loved a crisp pilsner and a bottle of Stonecutter with good pub food, and was generous to buy me many a pint when I was a pour PhD student. I am back in England now, otherwise I would come and pay my respects at the funeral. He was one of those people who made life better even when everything else is going rubbish. I am sorry for his death but proud I can say Ian was a mate!"