Thomas LAIRD

LAIRD, Thomas "Tom" Edward
February 7, 1938 - December 22, 2015
It is with a great sense of loss we announce that Tom Edward Laird passed away at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary, on December 22, 2015 after a three-month struggle to recover from seizures and complications. He was 77 years old. His daughter Tanis Troutman (Victoria, B.C), longtime friend Lanyon Leno (Victoria, B.C.), special friend Brenda Nixon, and several close friends attended to him during his illness. He is survived by his daughter Tanis; granddaughter, Naomi; and grandson Jeremy, all of Victoria, B.C. Tom was predeceased by his parents Delta Salina Gorham and Oliver Borden Laird and his beloved wife Gayle. He was born in Winnipeg and grew up on the family mink farm at Birds Hill just outside of Winnipeg. Later he attended a private school, St. John's Ravenscourt in Winnipeg where he was involved in athletics, baseball, hockey and boxing, and music. He obtained his BA in English at the University of Manitoba, before taking his Degree in Architecture from the University of Toronto. Tom was an avid outdoorsman, hiker, camper, skier (downhill and cross-country) and a member of the Calgary Ski Club and Hiking Clubs, who loved the mountains. He will be missed by his many skiing and hiking friends in Calgary and elsewhere. He walked every day and often hiked and camped in the mountains with others and also by himself. He had a successful career as an architect having designed many buildings in Calgary including a wing in the Peter Lougheed Hospital. Tom was interested in personal growth and took part in, "I'm OK, You're OK", and many other personal growth courses. He and Gayle taught the Enneagram personal growth course very successfully in Calgary to many people for several years. A Celebration of Tom's Life will be held at ST. PETER'S ANGLICAN CHURCH (903-75 Avenue SW) on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION AND TIME OF SERVICE. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through wwww.evanjstrong.com. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES (403) 265-1199.