Obituary of Harry "Douglas" Baird

BAIRD, Harry “Douglas” – At Bluewater Health, Palliative Care on Sunday, April 8, 2012, Douglas died at the age of 85.  Beloved husband of O. B. Beth for 62 1/2  years.  Loving father of The Rev. Judith Baird Ritchie, London, Laura Jean (Andy) Ireland, Sarnia, Joyce  Caines, Yellowknife, NT, and Carolyn (Brian) Steven, Fonthill.  Loving and proud grandfather of Erin Ritchie, Samantha Ritchie, Chris (Sarah) Ireland, Heather Ireland, Brendan Ross Caines, Caitlin Caines and Harrison Steven; special great-grandfather of Jaidyn Ireland.  Doug will also be missed by Harrison’s older brothers:  Aaron (Karen) (children Sklyer and Raina), Dave (Mindy), Cam (Maral), James (Mel) (son Tegan).  Dear brother of Dorothy Warren, David Baird, Dennis (Micheline) Baird; and brother-in-law of Phyllis Baird and Harry Warren.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his parents Hubert and Marion (Wightman) Baird, brother Donald Baird and sister Diane Motchan.  Doug served in WWII in 1944-1945 and started a successful career as an insurance broker with Great West Life in 1950 and later was a partner in Wade & Baird Insurance Brokers Ltd.   He was a longtime member of Liberty Lodge #419 and the Lambton Shrine Club and was a member of the Sarnia Rotary Club and recently became a Paul Harris fellow.  Doug would like to be remembered for his love of family, his service to the community and his integrity as a businessman.  Friends will be received at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and Thursday from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m.  The Liberty Lodge #419 will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m.  A Celebration of Doug’s life will be held at Central United Church on Friday, April 13th at 10:30 a.m.  Interment to follow at Blackwell Cemetery.  As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.  Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Doug Baird in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area