Ian MacLeod Baird

1947 - 2024

BAIRD, Ian MacLeod

Farewell and a wee Deoch-an-doris to the late great Ian MacLeod Baird!

It is with the deepest sadness that we say goodbye to our dear friend, family and community member, Ian Baird. He was taken suddenly in the late afternoon of Monday, October 28, 2024, at the age of 77. Ian was born on August 30, 1947, at the Royal Jubilee hospital in Victoria, B.C. to Alexander Purves MacLeod Baird and Phyllis Mary Baird (Petty) of Scotland and Saskatchewan. He grew up in his family home on Oliver Street in Oak Bay with his beloved elder sister, Margaret Phyllis Baird (Wilson). He attended Monterey Elementary, Glenlyon and Oak Bay high schools, the University of Victoria (BA), and the University of Western Ontario to earn a Masters in Library Science.
Ian's accomplishments are too many to list - an author, a generous donor and volunteer to charitable causes, an outstanding book collector and seller. He had a passion for books, collecting hundreds of rare, first edition books for his successful niche online book business, Empire Books, specializing in railroadiana, and Canadian, British and American history. No surprise that in 1969 after graduating from UVic, his career began with books at the University of Victoria library as a library assistant, becoming a full reference librarian at UVic until he retired. As a lifelong member, with his parents, of St Andrew's Presbyterian church, he worked as co-editor to publish "The Kirk that Faith Built", a history of the first 100 years of St Andrew's church, an accomplishment of which he spoke often and was very proud. This work was one among many of the books and articles Ian wrote, all of which have contributed to Canada's written history.
Ian was considered a railway expert, historian, and "railway man". His deep love of trains, logging and passenger, included an interest in preserving through photographs the stations, as well as churches, grocery stores, prairie grain elevators, and old buildings soon to be forgotten. This resulted in many books and photographs contributing to the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Heritage Architecture Guide Series. His wide travels were often inspired by the rail and its history, whether on unique British Columbia lines such as the Woss Lake logging train in its final days, across Canada and the United States, or further abroad, throughout the Commonwealth, especially Scotland. In India, he rode and hiked railway lines, and he loved Bermuda for the lack of cars and the hiking trails on the old railway track running the length of the island. He advocated for saving rail travel, especially the E&N on Vancouver Island. He particularly enjoyed hiking local railway lines with his friend and professor, Peter Smith, with whom he collaborated on the publication of "Ghosts on the Grade". Ian built and ran his own model railways in his backyard and basement to the delight of his friends, their children and grandchildren. He was aided by his expert model train friend, Ken Lockley.
Some have called "Baird" (as he was affectionately known by his pals) an eccentric - Baird certainly did not fit in any kind of box! He was a Monarchist who appreciated the traditions of the Empire. His father emigrated from Scotland, and Ian maintained Scottish traditions such as Robbie Burns Day, for which his parties were legendary! Ian would have heartily enjoyed a debate about Burns' politics. He had a deep admiration for Winston Churchill and shared a personal correspondence since boyhood with John Diefenbaker, the "Chief". He appreciated a good intellectual discussion and sought out people willing to engage in that with him, not always requiring them to be of like-minded opinions, and often finding common ground. He liked heated debates and had a sharp wit that could diffuse many a situation. As one of his closest friends shared, "Baird enjoyed spirited political debates with hippie socialist friends".
Ian could be stubborn, opinionated, and proud, but behind his sometimes gruff facade was a tender heart, a romantic sentimentalist, a fiercely loyal friend, a caring neighbour, an animal lover, and a sensitive soul. He enjoyed books, debates, conversations, and gardening with his beloved companion, Claudia (whom he affectionately called "noodle"), with whom he shared a 40-year friendship and love affair. Together, they grew dahlias, asparagus, broad beans, plums, apples, herbs and many other vegetables which they shared with friends and enjoyed together over many home-cooked dinners.
As his dear noodle would often say to him, "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need" - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 104 BC-43 BC
Ian is survived by his nieces and nephews, Richard, Moira, Elizabeth and David, children of his loving sister Margaret who passed in 2023, great nephews and niece, Harry, Russell and Stella, and cousins Ross and Wallace Petty. He also leaves behind his godson, Daniel O'Neill, and Daniel's parents, Michael and Nancy, dear friends Michael McGovern and Maggie McCallum, and many more longtime dear friends. Ian is gone too soon from his companion, Claudia, and her daughters, Claudia (C2) and Catherine, as well as their children, Olivia, Josie, Emma, Simon, Ben and Henry. He was loved by too many friends and neighbours to name, some of whom he'd known since boyhood.

A celebration of life will be held for Ian on Friday, November 8, at 2 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Victoria, presided over by his good friend, Pastor Mitch, with a reception to follow at the church hall. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ian's name to the Salvation Army, to whom Ian made many donations over the years to help those in need.