Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
Obituary of Russell James Baird
Russell “Russ” James Baird of Niagara Falls, Ontario, passed away suddenly at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025 – a month shy of his 81st birthday.
Russ was born in Toronto on April 28, 1944, to parents Doris (née Lynn) and James “Jim” Baird. The eldest of 4 boys, Russ is survived by his brothers, John (Swaena) and Gordon (Suzanne). His brother Robert “Bob” predeceased him in 2018. Russ is survived by his 5 children: Katherine (Ron), Emilie (Julián), Kerry, Deanna (Nathan), and Julian; his second wife Laura (née Knight); his first wife Carol (née Cannon); as well as his 8 grandchildren: Sarah, Dylan, Michael, Alice, Logan, Camila, Braylon, and Linux along with several nephews and a niece. He had many cherished friends.
Russ was a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces from a young age, starting with the Boys Brigade in West Hill, and then the Ontario Regiment in Oshawa, where he later rose to the rank of Major. His additional military affiliations were numerous, including: the Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal), the Queen’s York Rangers (Toronto), the Governor General’s Horse Guards (Toronto), the Militia Association of New York, the New York Guard, and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was also an officer with the Army Cadets in Hamilton’s Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Fonthill’s Lincoln and Welland Regiment.
Russ studied at the University of Waterloo and General Motors Institute, obtaining a Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering in 1969. He briefly worked as an engineer before pursuing a more entrepreneurial path, planning and developing “character maps” along with select artists. He was actively involved in creating and distributing maps of many cities, some of which include Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Buffalo-Fort Erie, Montreal, Albuquerque (NM), Birmingham (AL & UK), Flint (MI), and Geneva (Switzerland). These maps have become cherished time capsules of these cities from the 1970s to 1990s, with one so recognized in a 2017 Hamilton Spectator news article.
He has called several areas home over his lifetime, most prominently: Toronto, Oshawa, Montreal, West Lincoln, and Niagara Falls. In his later years, he remained actively involved in community events, Niagara Writers’ Forum, driving for the Red Cross, attending services at spiritual and church groups, and visiting Start Me Up Niagara, the Third Space Cafe and the Niagara Falls Public Library.
Russ was a gentle soul with an intrepid spirit and an insatiable mind, held dear by many far and wide. He was a spiritual explorer, journeying through diverse paths in search of understanding and connection, and well-regarded by many at the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara, St. Patrick’s Church, Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, Self-Realization Fellowship of Hamilton, the Unity Spiritual Centre of Hamilton, Chinmaya Dhara, and the Centre for Spiritual Awareness of Lakemont (GA), among others.
Russ spent countless treasured moments at Lake Weslemkoon with family, where he and his brothers had helped their father build the beloved family cottage – a place close to his heart throughout his life, that brought his family together for hikes, boat rides, and many legendary games, particularly Scrabble and The Great Dalmuti!
A true adventurer, he instilled in his children and nephews the skills to navigate both land and life, teaching them to use a compass and prepare for life’s winding paths – always with his notable frugal ways to ensure a financial safety net. Russ often chose the scenic route, a habit that tested his children’s patience but rewarded them with hidden gems and a love for the road less traveled. A fierce champion of the “little guy”, these roads often brought Russ to small, local businesses across North America.
His intellectual curiosity was boundless, with CBC Radio, particularly Quirks & Quarks, a constant companion. He eagerly shared newfound knowledge and creative ideas, whether over a coffee, a meal, a car ride, or via email. He was especially proud of his poetry and collaborations with the Poets & Painters initiative, inviting artists to bring imagery to prose in an annual publication. He was also proud of his poem Thank You, Thank You Weslemkoon Lake, published in The Loon Call.
Plans for a celebration of life are still to come and please return here for details.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Niagara Falls Public Library. At a time when libraries are being underfunded across North America, Russ very much believed in the value of libraries and relied heavily on them for advancing his knowledge and finding community. Libraries provide free essential services, programs, and resources inclusively to all community members, and this is well aligned with his ethos. Our dad truly loved the library!
Notes of sympathy and condolence may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca
1944 2025
Death notice for the town of: Stoney-Creek, Province: Ontario
death notice Russell
James
Baird 1944 2025
obituaries notice Russell
James
Baird 1944 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Russell
James
Baird 1944 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
