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Dad was a wonderful caring person, a great role model to all members of the family. He came "Down Under"many times-first in 1974 with June, GGMA and GGPA and his last visit was for Maggie's 60th with Doug and Karen. Derek, Jen and Karen got to know their grandfather well through these visits and developed a close relationship with him. He travelled a lot of OZ-sometimes by himself or with Laverne and on some occasions with Maggie and Bill. On our roadtrips, a routine developed-always find a bakery for coffee about 10am then move on for lunch -sometimes a local pub-then hotel for the night which always had to have Laverne's approval first as she did like a bit more comfort than the basic ones we were used to. As Laverne and Maggie became a little tired of the backseat, we alternated, delegating the 2 Bills while Maggie drove and Laverne navigated. A recipe for disaster as we managed to get lost, sometimes circumnavigated a roundabout a few times before we found our bearings. Dad learned to enjoy Aussie beer, VB Tooheys ,4X, and was always open to trying different foods, Lamb becoming a firm favourite. One visit was to see Derek graduate from University, something Dad was very happy to see (as well the family) because he never thought that would happen. It was always great to get together with Dad because he had the abilities to bring back stories of his travels or adventures that you may have been with him on or not, but forgotten. His memories never really dwindled. Dad was a romantic at heart as one may know. He love to interrogate friends, carers and different members of the family and God forbid, don't give him information which would sooner or later get back to the morning coffee group. We always enjoyed visiting him in San Diego. I and sometimes Maggie, would tag along for morning coffee. This coffee club was incredible. The group could advise, solve or recommend a cure for anything. Age is a great thing with knowledge and experience which Dad had plenty of. Maybe Donald Trump should have an over 80's advisory group and things would run better. We are going to miss Dad a lot because almost every day we would see him via Skype. It will be hard to break that habit. Dad was a true patriarch-loved all members of the family equally, a mentor to all and was loved and respected by all the family. We will miss him. |
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My enduring memory from when I was young was Grandpa, Laverne and my parents at the card table. A formidable card player. More recently Grandpa was a Grandmaster of life. Most conversations would feature a Baird proverb, whether it be in regards to Stock market, real estate, education or love. Yes, he will most definitely be missed as he won't be there to tell us a million stories, to recount his life, his travel, his marriages. Won't be there to sit and watch the baseball with on tv or to go to one of the many meals at the local Mexican, Boll Weevil or at the bad chinese. Won't be there to go to coffee with the boys, sit in the visitor seat strategically placed at the end of the table and listen to all their news. Won't be there for him to ask why we don't have a boyfriend and why we may not be married yet. Won't be there to tell us the latest gossip or that the share prices are up. However, we will have many wonderful memories, and many lessons learnt from someone who was truly the steadfast of our family. Who kept us all together through Sunday breakfasts when anyone was in town to the many skype calls with news about each other. I still remember how we used to exchange cassette tapes by post with recordings of us all talking. . . and now to the wonders of Skype that he was still able to use at the age of 96. We feel that our thirst for discovery and travel comes from our parents but originates from Grandpa and his piloting adventures. The evidence is in our expansive and eclectic family living throughout the world. So we raise our pints to you Grandpa. Thank you for being YOU, for being so generous and loving. May we and our children uphold your legacy. |