John Baird

John Cleve Baird – passed away peacefully in Hospice at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, Barry’s Bay on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 in his 97th year.

A resident of Round Lake, John leaves to mourn his loving and much beloved wife of 73 years, Dorothy Baird (nee Shand).  Dear father of George (Colette) of Round Lake & Bill (Beth) of Kingston.  Cherished Grandpa to Jocelyn Graveline (Darryl), Pembroke; Jeremy Baird (Nicole), Amherstview; Stephanie Bacon (Scott), Cambridge; and the late Janelle Baird (Jamie O’Dell).  Treasured Great-grandpa to Lucas, Georgia & Nolan Graveline; Bryson & Keira Baird; and Eleanor & Charlotte Bacon.  Son of the late Herbert & Mary Baird (nee Eady).  Predeceased by siblings Kenneth (late Jean), Sidney (late Lydia, late Edna), Sadie May (late Alex) & Eunice Baird.  Survived by many nieces, nephews & cousins.

John was educated in the Public School System, then to Pembroke Collegiate Institute.  He left high school to help his family after grade 10, working in Rowan’s west end drug store. On reaching age 18, he joined the RCAF and trained as an air gunner at Mount Pleasant, P.E.I.  Upon graduation he was posted to no.420 squadron, no.6 Bomber group in Yorkshire, England, and engaged in a tour of operations consisting of 32 missions over 5 European countries.  When he returned to Canada in 1945, he was given an honourable discharge after attaining the rank of Pilot Officer.  Following his return to Pembroke, he married Dorothy Shand on February 21, 1948, and they had 2 sons, George & Bill.  After successfully gaining employment at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited in June of 1950, he progressed from security officer to reactor operator, and then to supervisor on the Vandergraf Accelerator for a number of years. In March 1984 he took a much-deserved early retirement, and after a number of years residing at their Eganville Road home in Pembroke, they moved to their retirement residence on Hummingbird Trail at Round Lake.

A private visitation will be held at the Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer Funeral Home, Pembroke. A private Funeral Service will take place at First Baptist Church, followed by interment at First Baptist Cemetery. (As an expression of sympathy, donations to First Baptist Church or Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care would be appreciated).  Online donations/condolences are available at www.mdbfuneralhome.com.

"Grandpa"

The seat beside me is empty,

But I know that you are there. 

I feel you in my heart. 

I smell you on the air. 

Come sit with me awhile. 

I know you had to leave here. 

It was your time to go. 

And though I saw it coming,

It’s still hard for me, you know. 

Come sit with me awhile. 

I sit here quietly thinking of all the years we had. 

The memories I have of you will be the love you gave. 

From singing songs upon your knee,

To carefully watching you shave. 

Come sit with me awhile. 

My heart is feeling empty,

Tears trickle down my face. 

I wish that I could hear your voice,

Not just the silent space. 

Please stay with me awhile. 

Please send me messages from heaven. 

Let me know that you are there. 

A song upon the wind. 

A tickle in my hair. 

Please stay with me awhile. 

It’s time for you to go now,

You can finally rest. 

I will think of you so often,

With love deep in my chest. 

Please stay with me awhile. 

The seat, it still sits empty. 

No one can fill your place. 

You are up there now in heaven,

With that smirk upon your face. 

You sat with me awhile. 

Your family was there to greet you. 

Friends who had passed on too. 

Please remember Grandpa,

Just how much I love you. 

Go sit with God awhile. 

By : Stephanie Bacon

Granddaughter 

September 18, 2021