Obituary: Irville R. Baird, Born on a Ship Off the Coast of Newfoundland

Obituary from Graham Funeral Home.

Irville R. Baird, 89, a longtime resident of Woburn, passed away at his home after a long illness, surrounded by his family on Saturday evening, November 29. He was the husband of Virginia (Brewer) Baird, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.
Irville was the son of the late Elizabeth, and the late Reuel Baird. He was born on a ship off the coast of Newfoundland while his parents were immigrating to the United States from Canada. Irville was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II. He served with the Military Police Detachment of the 1446thService Command Unit, guarding prisoners of war. He became a U.S. Citizen when he entered the Army.
Irville was an industrial painter, and had worked for several companies before retiring in 1988. He was an avid Boston sports fan, and he also enjoyed college football. He also enjoyed gardening, maintaining an impressive garden at his home. He most of all enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife Virginia, Irville is also survived by two daughters, Janet Knepley and her husband Jeff of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Loriann Gatta and her husband Edward of Nashua, New Hampshire; and three grandchildren, Robert, Nicholas, and Kellie DeSimone. He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley McDermott of Chelmsford, and Winona Kelley of Dracut.
A funeral service will be held at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Friday, December 5 at 11:00 am. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn. Visiting hours will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Irville’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, 3 Winn St., Woburn, MA 01801