Obituary
Alban Baird Knechtel May 22, 1937 — May 29, 2020 Baird was born in Hanover, Ontario to Bernice (nee Tulloch) and Alban Patrick Knechtel. He was the big step-brother to Kathryn (Lorne Helwig), John (Norma Jean), Richard (Janet) and Stephen (Dawn). He had a great love of music and chose to follow that path instead of the family furniture business. He attended the University of Toronto where he met and fell in love with Maria Eugenia Kohut.They married at St. Thomas Anglican church in Toronto on May 20, 1961 and later travelled extensively through Europe. Baird helped Maria design their Etobicoke home where they brought up their three children: Anastasia (Ian Silver), Barbara (John Wilds) and Karl. Baird received an ARCT special diploma for Viola and was an original member of Project Super for the Suzuki method. He shared his passion for music with students for more than 40 years over the course of his teaching career (pun intended!) at various high schools in North York. Many of his students went on to become accomplished professional musicians, and he proudly played at their street name dedication ceremonies. While teaching, he obtained his Masters of Music from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY, helped found the Chamber Players of Ontario, was President of the Ontario Musician’s Association, founded the Canadian Viola Society, instructed at the International Music Camp, wrote several compositions, books and scores, participated in the Toronto International Music Festival (25 yrs), and played in virtually every venue in Toronto too!Baird hosted the Viola Congress 9 in Toronto and has received citations for distinguished service from both CVS and AVS, a lifetime achievement award from CVS, the Silver Viola Clef award from the International Viola Society, and is listed in the International Who’s who in Music. After retiring, he performed with the Trio Bravo at local venues, and recently instructed at the Maggini Summer school in England and a camp in Parry Sound. He frequently attended concerts and events at many Ontario venues. He ardently supported the Conservatory of Music, the National Youth Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony, the Toronto Jazz Festival and was a member of the Duke Ellington society. Baird was an active Homestay “parent”, being involved with international ESL students for over two decades. He attended a memoir writer’s workshop and Italian language class.He became more involved in woodworking, where he was a member of the Franklin Horner Community Centre. There he built several pieces for friends and neighbours as well as his favourite bench and many items for his home. He joined the West Toronto stamp club and also enjoyed flying some of his model airplanes.He ventured near and far, attending Knechtel family reunions, Hanover Homecoming and Viola Congresses & Festivals in Oberlin, Cremona and New Zealand.He also explored his ancestry by visiting Scotland & the Orkney Islands and re-visiting Europe similar to his trip with Maria (dec. 2015). Baird leaves behind his three children and four grandchildren — Tamarin, Kassandra, Camille and Theodore. The family would like to thank the staff at Queensway Health Centre and his doctors Muinuddin, Cifelli and Chopra for their invaluable assistance in providing Baird with the best quality of life possible over the past 7 years, also the Bayshore clinic where he attended treatments last year. Finally a big thank you to all the doctors, staff and most especially the nurses involved with his care at St. Joseph’s hospital where he passed peacefully due to cancer.
Online condolences can be made via _cardinalfuneralhomes.com_ . A celebration of Baird’s life will be held at a future date. Contact baird.knechtel@gmail.com for information, and donations made in lieu of flowers will support his favourite musical organizations and charities.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alban Baird Knechtel May 22 1937 May 29 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
I knew Baird well through the Canadian Viola Society which he founded and for which I succeeded him as newsletter editor and treasurer. I value the memories of the many Viola Events which we attended together. The viola world in Canada will not be the same without his presence. Rest in Peace, Baird and I’ll get out my viola in memory of you.