Ira BAILEY

BAILEY, Ira - With a heavy sense of loss, Ira's loving family announce his peaceful passing on the morning of August 7, 2008 following a courageous battle with cancer. Ira will be greatly missed by his beloved wife and soul-mate Freda (Sale) who supported him to the last. He is lovingly remembered by his brother and dear friend, Allan and wife Lynette, children Shannon and Cameron, and brother, Brian. Ira will also be deeply missed by Freda's family: father Peter; brother Peter and wife Donna, their son Darien and wife Michelle; brother David and wife Susan, son Jim, daughter Margaret and husband Fred; brother Mike and wife Tanya, sons Kyle and Ben. Ira is predeceased by his mother Maisie, father Frank, and sister Anne. Ira was born on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland, March 14, 1949 emigrating with his family to Canada in 1961. Ira attended Central High School in Sarnia, studied Child Care at Fanshawe College in London, and was graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Sports Administration) in 1983 at Laurentian University in Sudbury. A bursary fund has been established at Laurentian in his honour. Most recently, Ira served as Account Executive with Hallmark Insurance Brokers of Markham, Ontario. His long and storied career began in the chemical industry in Sarnia followed by service in child care, working with emotionally disturbed youths in London. He later joined Canada Post rising quickly to the level of Postmaster (Dutton, Ontario) prior to completing business studies at Laurentian. After graduation, Ira and Freda spent four years in Ottawa where Ira worked in marketing and sales, first in the computer equipment industry and later, the workforce services business. Ira was transferred to Toronto in May 1987 where he subsequently worked as Regional Manager of Public Storage. He later accepted offers in professional sports marketing-an area dear to his heart throughout his life-first with Skydome, later as Vice President, Marketing, for Coliseum Entertainment. Ira secured the naming rights for the Ricoh Coliseum and played a key role in the establishment of a new Toronto professional hockey franchise (the Toronto Roadrunners) and the conversion the historic Coliseum at Exhibition Place into one of Canada's finest professional sports and entertainment facilities. As his legions of friends across Canada can attest, Ira's lifelong passion was people and sports. His love of meeting and greeting and his extraordinary people skills served him well as Ambassador for the Toronto Board of Trade. He was a long-standing member of the Cedar Springs Racquets Club, Burlington. He was a competitive tennis player and an enthusiastic fan of all professional sports. Every Sunday and Wednesday Ira shared camaraderie and his love of hockey with his recreational hockey teammates. He was 'Uncle Ira' to the neighbourhood children. All will long remember the friendly, kind-hearted Ira, eager to run errands, walk their dogs, or simply strolling by on his many long walks with his beloved, loyal Samoyeds-first Chico, most recently, Kayla. A celebration of Ira's life will be held this fall. Call Allan Bailey 905.823.6353 for information. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the bursary honouring Ira. Address donations (tax free) to: Ira Bailey SPAD Bursary Fund, c/o Development Office, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6 (please make checks payable to Laurentian University; identify on check, 'Ira Bailey SPAD Bursary Fund'). Ira's gifts of friendship, good cheer and deep regard for others will be greatly missed by the many whose lives he brightened; his imprint will not be forgotten. 11201570