Roy Baird (1924-2014)

Roy was involved in the meat trade for 40 years after taking on the family business in Bathgate.

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He is fondly remembered by a number of Federation members who now run their own shops. Roy was considered by everyone who knew him as a 'proper gentleman'. He was a kind, gentle, caring person and described as exceptionally good person. A good husband to his late wife Betty and he loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He led by example caring for others and he was genuinely a people person who went out of his way to help others. He enjoyed the fellowship and companionship of the Rotary club, the church and the prayer group with its annual journey Iona. He had started working for his father before joining the RAF in Italy where he celebrated his 21st birthday by climbing Mount Etna.

Married in 1948 Armadale returning to Bathgate in 1960 worked in the meat trade for 40 years and was a well known buyer of Aberdeen Angus cattle. A Google search reveals a Glasgow Herald article of 1979 that reports Roy Baird as topping the auction when purchasing a prize beast from Harry Emslie of Mintlaw at the Aberdeen Christmas Fatstock Show for the sum of £1650. One of the farms that he bought cattle from had the same water supply as the Glenmorangie distillery and he was convinced that he could taste the whisky in the beef.

When retired moved to Lower Largo and for a spell sold insurance. After the loss of his wife, Betty, his grandchildren were a great source of enjoyment for him.

He worked with the St Johns Church in Pittenweem but by coincidence his association with its minister Rev Jim Thomson goes back to 1967. The minister had a position in Bathgate and during his time there Roy's father was the Provost and his housekeeper bought the clergyman's meat at Bairds the Butchers.

Roy was to a senior warden for Rev Jim Thomson at St Johns Episcopal Church in Pittenweem.
This was a delicate job and one that he excelled in performing. The minister observed that Roy had an uncanny ability in being able to break down resistance gently, slowly and successfully. This echoed his role in the Federation as a key player in moving the Federation's HQ from Glasgow to Perth.

The funeral of Roy Baird was held on Tuesday 23rd December at Kirkcaldy crematorium and St Johns in Pittenweem. The service was really well attended by Probus club colleagues and church members. Unfortunately the date prevented several of his butchery friends to be present. The Federation was represented however by Past Presidents John Chapman, Adam McLay and Wilson Ferguson, Honorary President Arthur Matthew, George Lees and Chief Executive Douglas Scott. He is survived by his son David and daughter Anne, grandchildren and great grandchildren. May he rest in peace.