June 5, 1946 – July 6, 2025
at the age of 79 years:
Link to view Desmond’s funeral will be uploaded shortly
Funeral Service: Friday, July 18, 2025, 12:00 pm, Fischer’s Funeral Services, Visitation 10:30 am – 12:00 pm prior to service. Interment to follow at Shuswap Memorial Cemetery. Please join the family for a time of fellowship and refreshments following the interment at the cemetery.
Kenneth ‘Desmond’ Baird, 79, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, following a stroke. Born on June 5, 1946, to Kenneth and Winona Baird, Desmond lived a life marked by faith, love, and a deep connection to nature.
Desmond leaves behind his devoted wife of 44 years, Dorothy (née Strickland), their son Mark (Holly), and his cherished grandchildren, Arya (4) and Emery (1), who brought him immense joy. He is also survived by his brother and fishing companion, Ron (Ditas). Desmond was predeceased by his parents.
A man of unwavering faith, Desmond made serving God the cornerstone of his life. He found solace and joy in his garden, where he lovingly tended to seeds, nurtured plants, and celebrated the harvest. His garden was not just a hobby but a reflection of his nurturing spirit. Equally, Desmond cherished long days spent fishing from a creek or from his canoe, always returning with a catch and a radiant smile. He delighted in sharing his bounty, especially with the elderly in his community.
Remembered for his gentle warmth and generous spirit, Desmond greeted every stranger with a bright smile and never passed a stream without stopping to scout for fish. His legacy will live on in the gardens he planted and the memories he created with those he loved.
Desmond’s family will feel his presence every time they pick from the garden he so carefully tended. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84842043997Phone one-tap:
+16473744685,,84842043997# Canada
+16475580588,,84842043997# CanadaJoin via audio:
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 780 666 0144 Canada
+1 204 272 7920 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
Webinar ID: 848 4204 3997
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbzuW70xmg
Dorothy, Mark and family,
Thinking of you so much these days in your loss of Desmond. So nice you have special memories and even the fruit of his labours to enjoy. Hoping these bring you much comfort. A beautiful service for a life well lived, a real tribute to Desmond and to God who kept
him.
Ralph and Sharon
Dear Dorothy, Mark and family,
We would like to express our sincere sympathy in your great loss. We value our memories of Desi. For me (Anna), those memories started when I boarded with you for a few months in Pembroke. His zeal for truth was evident then, and it’s good to hear in the funeral that this continued until he was taken. Wishing you comfort in all the memories of his love for you and his faithfulness to God.
Dear Dorothy, Mark and family – Sending you sympathy and hugs at this difficult time. We have many special memories of time spent with you and Desmond, going back to Pembroke days.
Love from Harold and Dianne
Dear Des did his best to be a friend to all.
Dear cousin Dorothy, Mark, Holly and family,
So sorry to hear of Desmond’s recent passing. He will be fondly remembered forever by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of deep loss.
Sending our love and care.
Norm & Betty
Our thoughts are with you Dorothy, Mark and family. We have many good memories of times spent together. Des will be missed, but there is comfort in knowing that his earthly struggle is over.
We are so sorry to hear of Desmond’s passing. Know that our thoughts are with you and your family. I appreciated so much your phone call to me after George’s passing. And then we heard of Ruby’s passing while in Ontario for George’s last remaining brother. It’s good to remember our loss is their gain. This makes the journey all the more worthwhile. We send our condolences, with love, Rita and Sandra Rhodey
Dear Dorothy, Mark & family me
Precious memories never die.
Our thoughts will be with you:s on Friday as you lay your love one to rest
Dear Dorothy ,Mark &family
I will be thinking of you on Friday when you lay your dear Desmond to rest. We cherish memories of you’s
We send our love and hugs
Our sincere sympathy on the passing of Desmond . We have good memories of Desmond over the years .
I know Des was not so well at the end so it is a sweet release for him. He will be missed by others who are left. I remember him for his steadiness in God’s Word. Sincerest condolences to you Dorothy, Mark and grandchildren.
Dear Dorothy and all your family. I have known Des since I was 15 years old … lots of cherished memories.
Our sincere condolences from Nan, Kim and Lisa.
Cherish the memories Dorothy.
Hi,Dorthy, we are thinking of you these days but with consolation for the choices that you both made in your youth,thank you for encouraging Desmond along the way. I remember as a boy Desmond coming to our farm in Ontario as a young brother worker,now he will be glad forever. Our love to you in him…Stacy and Gem also comforted that you have Mark,nearby ,I remember years ago he was our waiter at Boston pizza in Kamloops
We were privileged to have known Desmond and have such fond memories of our visits together over the years. We know you, Dorothy, Mark, and his family will all miss him keenly, but we pray that wonderful memories will bring you comfort. His steadfastness, smile, and spirit are what we will remember and miss. Take care.
Desmond and I go back a long way. Growing up in Quebec I knew most of his family and met Des when I was an early teenager. Desmond spent time at our home and taught me how to snare rabbits one winter. Snow days were always fun when Des was around, we would run the ski-doo out of gas most days. Des later came to work for us in Kamloops and got to know him even more.
Des will be missed, thinking of the family at this hard time.
RIP Desmond-Dee.
Condolences to Dorothy, Mark and family. Glad we got to see you in Ontario recently. Good memories of Desmond and of his mother Winona.
Wendell and Betty Mountain
Dorothy & Family
Our Sincere Condolences, you will have sadness in your hearts but so thankful for Desmond’s way of life. We always remember our first visit it was at a Gospel meeting in Pembroke,Des greeted us with a big smile and invited us for tea after. We cherished all our times together,and always missed you when you moved away.
With lots of of love ,
Phil & Evelyn
Lockestanley@icloud.com
Was happy to spend three days with Desi and Dorothy before they left to return to B.C.
Those memories and photo will be cherished. Many days and times were spent with Desi
and his Mother in Magog, Quebec, where we shared many good meals together at Vena Sullivans.
My condolences to Dorothy, Mark and family
Dear Dorothy, Mark and family! So sorry to hear of Desmond’s passing. A wonderful man! Lots of memories… meeting with you up at lost nation.. Jessup’s . He was a piller of faith. Hugs to all.
It is with deep sadness that we learned about the passing of Desmond, a very kind, wonderful man who was loved by so many. We were so fortunate to see Desmond and Dorothy in Guelph in April as we had not seen them for several years.
Dorothy our hearts go out to you, Mark and his family as we feel your grief.
Thinking of you and wishing you beautiful memories and gentle peace.
Our love to all of you, Irene and Bill
We are thinking of you Dorothy at this time . Very sorry for your loss. May your rich memories and Faith keep you through these days and onward.
Desmond and I lived together at 1019 Dufferin and were good friends. When the workers list came out, 50 years ago today (Friday), to our mutual surprise, both our names were on it.
With care to Dorothy, Mark and all the family
We are SO SAD to think of not being able to look forward to more visits with Desmond, but VERY GLAD, and APPRECIATE all the wonderful visits we HAD.
We send our deepest sympathy and love and big hugs to Dorothy, and Mark, his lovely wife and adorable daughters. Desmond was very special, and hopefully knew he was very much loved and appreciated by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our love and condolences to you all.