Phil LAIRD

LAIRD, Phil
The Laird family announces the peaceful passing on May 17, 2016 of Phil Laird at the age of 89. Phil was born in Ottawa on March 8, 1927 to his parents, Olive (Lowry) Laird and Allen Laird. Phil married and is survived by his loving wife, of 66 years, Edie of Vancouver and their five children: Judy (Gerry) Byrne of Midland, MI; Nancy Jervis and her partner, Dick Wilson, of Schomberg, ON; Susie (Ramsey) Mackinnon of Edmonton, AB; Ted (Wendy) Laird of Ottawa, ON and Debbie (Dave) Mills of Vancouver, BC. Phil is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 18 great- grandchildren and his sister, Esther Higgins of Kingston, ON, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Jim Laird of Ottawa. Phil graduated from Ontario Agricultural College in 1950 and joined Dow Chemical Company. He had a distinguished career representing Dow in Toronto; Midland, MI; Stockholm, Sweden; London, England; Vancouver, BC and Sarnia, Ontario. He retired in Sarnia in 1987 and in 2010 Phil and Edie moved to Vancouver, making many wonderful friends at Shannon Oaks and Clarendon Court. Phil was an active and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and a kind and generous man. He loved golf, gardening, tennis, skiing, curling and fishing; more recently it was bridge, choir and visiting with family and friends. He loved the life he was given and left us all better for knowing him. The Laird family would like to thank the nurses and doctors on 4B, at Burnaby General Hospital, and especially the wonderful staff at the Hospice Unit of St. Michael's Centre for their care and compassion in his final days. According to his wishes, Phil will be cremated and a private memorial gathering will be held. For those who wish to make a memorial donation, please consider the Hospice Unit of St. Michael's Centre, 7451 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5J 5C2.