THE REVEREND CANON JOHN DORAN CAIRD

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THE REVEREND CANON JOHN DORAN CAIRD November 26, 1939- August 5, 2004 Peacefully on Thursday morning, in the arms of his family, John passed away at the Riverview Health Centre after a heroic battle with cancer. John is survived and will be deeply mourned by his loving wife of 42 years, Anne Veronica; his son Robin; his daughter Meredith; his son-in-law Jeff McLeod; his two beloved granddaughters, Morgann and Mallory; his sister Margaret of Edinburgh; and his two nieces, Susan (Stewart and Katie) and Laura. John was born in Edinburgh on November 26, 1939, and grew up in the borders of Scotland. He returned to Edinburgh to attend Heriot-Watt University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in organic chemistry. He was employed at the Department of Clinical Endocrinology and later at the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Edinburgh, where he met Anne. They were married in September 1961. John and Anne immigrated to Canada in 1965 where he became a research assistant at the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Manitoba Medical School. Feeling the call to the Anglican ministry, John attended St. Johns College from 1975 to 1978 and obtained his Master of Divinity. He was deaconed at St. Michael and All Angels church in 1977 and was priested at St. Johns Cathedral in 1978. He subsequently served as curate at St. Mary Charleswood from 1977 to 1980 and as Rector of Stonewall area parishes from 1980 to 1983 where he became rural Dean. He was called as Rector to St. James the Assiniboine, Winnipeg, in 1983 and remained there until his early retirement in December 2002. He was honoured to be made a Canon of St. Johns Cathedral in 1994. John was involved in many organizations and activities. He was a member of the St. Andrews Society of Winnipeg where he served as the Bard for many years until his death as well as President of the Society in 1997 to 1998. Johns lifelong love of poetry led him to create his own works. As the Bard of the St. Andrews Society, each November he wrote a new poem for the Societys annual dinner menu, and he wrote many other verses that will be treasured by the family. He was proud to be a Councillor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba where he served in many capacities from 1989 until June 2004. John was Padre of the Army Navy and Air Force Unit 283, who honoured him with a life membership in August 2002 for his dedicated service. He served in many diocesan capacities and was Editor of the Rupertsland News for many years. Johns passion for the high and wild places led him to climb most of the larger mountains in Scotland and Wales. He was a dedicated member of the Junior Mountaineering Club of Scotland until he left Scotland for his future in Canada. John was a wonderful storyteller who liked to share jokes and his love of good scotch. The family cottage was a source of great pride and joy in Johns life as was "the little white dog" Chloe. For their compassion and support, the family wishes to thank Dr. A. Leylek, Dr. M. McConnell, Dr. G. Crawford, Dr. M. Garcia and the staff of the St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit and the Riverview Health Centre 3 East. Our deepest thanks go to Chris Carlyle, nurse in the community, who went the extra mile to keep John comfortable while he was at home. John touched the lives of so many. So much of himself he gave to others. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. John is greatly loved and will never be forgotten. The void that has been left will never be filled. A Requiem will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Johns Cathedral, 135 Anderson Ave., Winnipeg. Interment to follow at St. James Anglican Cemetery. Flowers are graciously declined. If you so wish, donations in Johns name may be made to the St. Michael and All Angels Memorial Fund, 300 Hugo St. N., Winnipeg, MB R3M 2N7, and/or the Pet Rescue Shelter at 3062 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y1. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 McGillivray Blvd. 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2004