SCARBOROUGH — Charles B. “Bernie” Baird, 87, of Scarborough, died March 22 at the Gosnell House, after a brief and courageous battle with brain cancer. His family was by his side.

Baird was born Nov. 28, 1926, to Frederick T. Baird Sr. and Josephine Hight Woodsum Baird in Lewiston. He graduated from Bangor High School in 1944. In September 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the Fleet Sonar School in Key West, Fla. In 1945, he was assigned to the USS Alexander Dallas DD 199, later being reassigned to the Fleet Sonar School as a sonar instructor for surface ships and submarines.

He was discharged Sept. 7, 1946, and attended the University of Maine. He later transferred to Husson College in Bangor, where he graduated in June 1950.

On Oct. 15, 1950, Baird married the love of his life, Kay Merrow, of Newport. They had four children, David, Betsy, Anne and Jeff. His working career was spent mostly in sales in the field of insurance and banking, from which he retired in 1995.

Baird and his wife spent several years living in Auburn, and were also fortunate to spend many happy years on the shores of Flying Pond in Mount Vernon. After retirement, he spent six years managing two marinas in Oquossoc, where he and his wife enjoyed meeting many locals and visiting families.

Baird’s enjoyments were family gatherings, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with hunting and fishing; especially his annual trip to Bradford Camps with his son, David, and his friends from State Farm Insurance.

He is survived by his wife Kay, of 63 years; sons, David Baird and wife, Terry, of Old Orchard Beach, and Jeff Baird and wife, Michele; daughter, Anne Drouin, of Falmouth; nine grandchildren, Tim Baird and wife, Kiyah, Nathan Baird and wife, Heather, of Dayton, Paul Sadler, of Lewiston, James Sadler and wife, Tonva, of Lewiston, Jennifer Drouin and fiancé, Chris Charest, of Westbrook, Kara Drouin Eaton and husband, Terry, of Freeport, Megan Bishop, and Amanda and Melissa Baird; three great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Oliver and Alice Baird; sister-in-law, Ruth Woodsum, of Veazie; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; daughter, Betsy, and son-in-law, James Sadler; half-brothers, Fred Baird Jr. and James Woodsum; and two half-sisters, Harriet Hall and Jean B. Hazelton.

Visiting hours were held March 25 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, Portland. A service was held at the funeral home March 26. Interment with military honors will be at a later date at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Augusta.

Sidebar Elements

---

Baird

Copy the Story Link