Ian James Henry Baird

Ian Baird, LLB

June 6th, 1957 – April 15th, 2025

It is with sadness that the family of Ian Baird announce his passing on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 in Medicine Hat. 

Ian James Henry Baird was born, much to the delight of his parents, veterans James and Phyllis Baird, in Edmonton on the anniversary of D-Day 1957. Due to his Father’s work Ian lived a relatively peripatetic life in his formative years, but said his happiest childhood memories were of the time he lived in Turner Valley where he enjoyed exploring and riding his bike around the town with his cat ‘Ty’, as a ride along. 

Unfortunately, both of Ian’s parents died when he was in his teens and as he often said his life was never quite the same again, given the upheaval of having to move in with this eldest sister. Luckily, he did have a stalwart group of friends (Brian Mason, Barb Collin, Rob Glaser, Ron Shewchuk, and Jude Cartwright, Rick McCharles) whose friendship supported him during his high school years in Calgary and continued with some of them until his death. 

After High School graduation Ian travelled and worked under the auspices of Canada World Youth to Quebec and the Maritimes, then Haiti and finally Mexico. During the summers he also worked in various jobs as a labourer, all of which helped him decide to continue his education. Between finishing his BA and starting his Law Degree he again went travelling, this time through the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. The many experiences and people he met during his travels shaped him and helped him decide to become a lawyer. After graduating from UBC Law School, Ian set up his first practice in High Level, later returning to practice in Calgary and finally Medicine Hat, where he met and married, in 2011, Christine Nielsen. 

Ian enjoyed many things, but most particularly, his family and special friends, as well as, the Stampeders, barbecuing, movies and painting. As a young law student, he started collecting art and eventually developed a sizeable and eclectic collection, that gave him much pleasure. In later years and until shortly before he died Ian took up painting, using acrylics as his medium of choice to create colourful abstracts.

During his Article year Ian was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis something he lived with graciously for many years until it became rampant some 5 years ago. Thanks to a team of home caregivers he was able to remain in his home before going into the Good Samaritan Care facility a few months ago, where he was well looked after and supported in big and small ways by his sister Kathy and family.

Ian is survived by his wife, Christine; sisters, Carol (Allan) Posthuma and Kathryn (Frank) Crooks; nieces Janet (Cameron and son Liam) Watt, Mhari (Greg) Crooks; nephew, Shaun (Dianne and daughters, Hannah (Avery) and Rebecca) Crooks, and his special and kind friends Pat, Brian, Jane and Barb. 

Ian’s wish was to be cremated and his ashes will be scattered at a private gathering to be held at a later date in a place of his choice. In Ian’s memory, please consider donating to MS research.

You will always remain in our hearts.

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