null BAULD Obituary
BAULD, Thomas William, 80, died peacefully Wednesday, August 18, 2004 surrounded by family at the QEII, VG Site of complications arising from esophageal cancer. Thomas was the son of the late Stewart and Ethel (Harrison) Bauld Gesner. Born in the Annapolis Valley, Tom moved to Halifax at 14 and lived with his aunt and uncle while attending the Halifax Academy. He also worked at CHNS (a radio station started by his uncle, William Borrett).
At 17 he enlisted in the Canadian Army and was shipped overseas as a signalman. He spent the war in France and Belgium, and was able to celebrate his 21st birthday on VE Day, sharing his birthday cake with the local children. He was shipped back to Halifax after the European war had ended and signed on with the Expeditionary force destined to fight in the South Pacific. The end of the war came before he was redeployed, and upon his release from the army Tom chose to study architecture at the University of Manitoba with sidekicks J. D. Mitchell and Val Blofeld. During that time, he met Barbara Schofield, and it was love at first sight. Upon his graduation, they married and lived in many places across Canada during the following ten years. He and Bobbie settled in Halifax where Tom joined the architectural firm started by Charles Fowler, later known as Fowler, Bauld, & Mitchell. Tom loved working with his colleagues and friends at Dal Tech (Continuing Education); the local and national branches of the Corps of Commissionaires; and the Military Engineers Assoc. of Canada. He served as President and Board Member of both groups. Tom was also a board member of the Last Post Fund. He was a founding member and past president of both Visual Arts Nova Scotia and the Contemporary Arts Society of Nova Scotia. An accomplished draftsman, and water colourist he was also known for his story telling. He also enjoyed building projects with Stewart, both in the city and at his beloved valley house. Jennifer and he enjoyed hours of gossip and jokes over the years. Tom was an active member of St. Paul's Anglican Church, and served the parish in many capacities. Survived by his beloved wife of 54 years the former Barbara Schofield; daughter, Jennifer and husband Paul Brown, Dartmouth, son, Stewart and wife Jan Matthews of Halifax, sisters, Thelma Bent, Tupperville, Annapolis Co. and Marguerite Hirtle, Bridgetown, Annapolis Co., and a brother, Nelson Gesner, Ottawa. His two granddaughters, Emily and Stephanie Brown were loved dearly by their Grampy and will miss him so.
Cremation has taken place, visitation will be at JA Snow Funeral Home, 7-9 p.m. Saturday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, funeral services will take place Monday 2 p.m. August 23rd at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Halifax.
'Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm; it moves stones, it charms brutes. Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity and the truth accomplishes no victories without it.'
Published by The Globe and Mail on Aug. 20, 2004.