Obituary of George Weldon Baird

BAIRD, George Weldon ‘Geordie’  -97, passed away on Sunday, May 6th, 2018 at the Shiretown Nursing Home in Pictou.  He was born in the Cariboo Island Lighthouse on September 23rd, 1920 to Charles Baird & Barbara MacFarlane – the middle child of five sons.  He served as a Petty Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII.  In 1943 he married Alice Lillian Turple, the love of his life and together they raised two children, George Jr. and Alice Marlene.  For many years Geordie taught diesel mechanics for the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries, a job he thoroughly enjoyed.  He was also a multifaceted artist, a published poet, an amateur painter, a talented musician (guitar, fiddle, and banjo) and prolific songwriter.  In his retirement years he regularly entertained at Shiretown, the Veteran’s Unit and the Oddfellows Home, as well as performing at many other events in the community.  In his latter years he was known as “The Ancient Mariner”’ a name he happily gave to himself.  Geordie was predeceased by his four brothers, Edward, Archibald, Henry and Austin; his wife of 52 years, Alice and his son George Jr.  He is survived by his daughter, Marlene (Grant Paulsen); eight grandchildren, George III, Jonathan, Maryanne, April, Ashley, Aimie, Catherine and Cheryl; and eight great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. James Anglican Church in Pictou on Saturday, May 12th, 2018 at 2PM.  Interment will be in Seaview Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the Church Hall.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity of your choice.  www.mclarenfuneral.ca