Obituaries

On behalf of the Dusl family, Montreal, I wish to extend our belated condolences to Vaughan's family and salute his memory. His passing is a great loss to many - the family, friends, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Sports and Arts. A close friend since my arrival to Canada in 1969 and the best man at our wedding, a lifelong mentor, Vaughan was an extraordinary person who will remain in our hearts and minds. Our common interests – politics, sports, culture and travel – were always on the menu, whenever we met. Simply, it was a privilege and a pleasure to have had known him and to be included among his friends.

What an outstanding man with so many talents!!!! He was such a supporter of Aquatic Art and worked so hard to support Beulah Gundling. I cherish his friendship and had so much fun at his house. We loved having him in our home and our trips together. He was so proud showing us The Swimming Hall. It was his joy!!!!! He loved our dog, Happy. His home was the best museum in the world!!!! We love you and miss you Vaughan. So glad we had such good phone conversations even though we were miles apart. Wonderful memories!!!

HE WAS SOMEONE I SHALL NEVER FORGET.WE MET, GETTING ON THE THAI BOAT TO THE FLOATING MARKET ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO.HE TAUGHT ME THE TRUE APPRECIATION OF ART AND SHOWED ME AN ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE THAT I NEVER SAW BEFORE.HE KNEW MY CHILDREN AND WAS SO KIND TO ALL OF THEM.I WILL MISS HIM DEEPLY.WITH LOVE,DR ANDREW CARVER1040 17TH ST NWWASHINGTON, DC 20036202 296 2424

I am sorry to hear of Mr. Baird's passing. He was always so generous in mentoring and reaching out to new members of the Toastmasters club that we both attended. He is fondly remembered.

Vaughan was instrumental in forming the Ste-Agathe CDC incorporating in the Province of Manitoba, the first CDC to be Incorporated in Manitoba. I chaired the Corporation for nearly 10 years and Vaughan faithfully attended all meetings contributing enormously to developing Ste-Agathe.

Diving has lost a true friend....the Aquatic Hall of Fame which used to be housed at Pan-Am Pool was an absolute treasure for Winnipeg...as a young diver I spent hours looking at the amazing artifacts and stories that lined the walls. It was an inspirational and aspirational monument for everyone at the pool. It would be a great testament to his memory if it could be restored to the Pan-Am Pool for the next generation of athletes. Vaughn wasn't only involved in national diving events. He made a point to attend even the small, local events and was always so supportive of even the newest divers. He always made a point to know everybody's name. I continued to experience his kind reputation when I practiced law. He was a great man and I extend my condolences to his family.

I would also like to mention that Vaughan was instrumental in forming the Ste Agathe Community Development Corporation. After a number of informal meetings Vaughan suggested that we incorporate, which we did and he voluntarily contributed his legal knowledge for the setup. Consequently, as many will acknowledge ,he had a million ideas for projects and development. I was fortunate to work with Vaughan as the first president of the corporation and will always remember his drive and devotion to any cause that he found worthy. Thank you Vaughan, we will miss you.

Vaughn was integral to amateur sport in this province, not only in the sport of diving, for which he was inducted in 1984, but through his legal groundwork for the MB Sports Federation (now Sport MB) and for his passion, the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame. He was also a founding member of the Canadian Assoc. for Sport Heritage. Our sympathies to his family and friends, he will be missed.

A great loss to the family and Winnipeg.

I write on behalf of the whole Bowles family, and in particular on behalf of my mother, Frances, to extend our condolences to Vaughan's family and salute his memory. My parents, Richard and Frances, were friends of Vaughan's for decades and in recent years Vaughan arranging for mom to attend the Ste. Agathe Fall Supper with him has been a highlight of the Bowles Family year. Last fall, Vaughan was away the dinner was missed but several months ago we talked and made plans for this year. Among the many Baird/Bowles connections is a shared love of Ste Agathe where my parents have long had a country home a couple of miles south of Vaughan. After dad died, 25 years ago, Vaughan, through his many contacts in the community, and his own attentive watchfulness, made it easy for mom, who is 15 years his senior, to continue to visit 'the farm' and keep it up. For this the Bowles will be forever grateful to Vaughan. Vaughan was equally as comfortable talking to Royalty as he was with his clients, his neighbours at Ste. Agathe, or his friends. He could hold his own with titled academics, or discuss crop yields this year with equal facility. Vaughan's secret was that he was truly equally interested in everyone. No matter who he met up with Vaughan's face lit up with genuine delight. The Bowles family will miss Vaughan, but the memory of that warm smile of welcome will keep him alive in our hearts.

A life long mentor and friend - had a city councillor/solicitor relationship during the centennial years. 'Always take the high road' was good advice from one Scot to another. Losing someone is never easy but this one really hurts. Merci mon bel ami.