J. Ira Laird

J. Ira Laird Jr., 72, of Carlisle, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005, in the Masonic Village, Elizabethtown.

Born June 12, 1932, in Camp Hill, he was the son of the late J. Ira Sr. and Anna (Patterson) Laird.

After college, Mr. Laird joined his father's company, the Laird-Hagee Insurance Co. Starting as a claims and marketing supervisor, he rose to become chairman of the board. He later became deputy insurance commissioner for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he regulated the solvency and licensing of thousands of insurance companies doing business in the state.

He then founded his own company, Laird Productions Inc., where he authored, produced and directed hundreds of television and motion picture programs for national and international corporations in English as well as foreign languages. He authored and produced the training program "Claimant Control: Human Traits in Claims Negotiations" and co-authored a college level text, "Bid One and All."

Shifting his attention to the Knouse Foods Cooperative Inc. in Peach Glenn, he authored, produced and directed hundreds of videos on training and risk management. He also authored, produced and directed the video on "The Making of Applesauce" for Mr. Roger's children's show.

The last company founded by Mr. Laird was Affiliated Artists, where much of his work was dedicated to digital artistic works, many of which have hung in the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. His final work was a three-part video titled "Harrisburg, the Early Years," of which the vignette of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra was presented at their 75th anniversary.

Mr. Laird was a member and former usher of St. John's Episcopal Church in Carlisle. He was a 33rd degree Mason and a Master Mason of Harrisburg Council 7. He also was a member of the West Shore Masonic Lodge, Zembo Temple, Scottish Rite, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the Royal Arch Chapter 21 and the Pilgrim Commandery 11.

Mr. Laird is survived by his wife of 10 years, Elaine (Mehall) Swartz-Laird; a son, Jay I. Laird III, of New Cumberland; a daughter, Jennifer (Laird) Burke of Lemoyne; two stepsons, Craig Swartz of Dillsburg and Dennis Swartz of Mechanicsburg; and eight grandchildren.

A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. John's Episcopal Church, On the Square in Carlisle, with the Rev. Dr. Mark A. Scheneman officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg.

Friends may call Thursday following services in the church's parish hall.

Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, Carlisle, is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 612, Carlisle, PA 17013; The Alzheimer's Association, 2001 N. Front St., Building 2, Suite 321, Harrisburg, PA 17102; the Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 100 E. Brown St., Suite 23, Middletown, PA 10757; or the Masonic Village, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.