Stephen Borden Bird, age 97, passed away Monday, April 6 at the South Shore Regional Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Burdett, AB in 1917, he was the elder son of Rev. Harry S. and Anne (Jones) Bird.
In 1920 the family returned to Nova Scotia, where Borden spent his early years in Mulgrave, Sambro and Brooklyn (Queens County), according to his father’s pastoral charges. After attending high school in Liverpool, he graduated from Mount Allison University in pre-med in 1936 and received his M.D. degree from Dalhousie University in 1941. During World War II, Borden was commissioned a captain in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps and worked in Halifax attending thousands of wounded arriving back to “an east coast port”. He also accompanied the troop trains shuttling wounded inland to Ottawa. After the war, Borden returned to Liverpool to establish a busy general practice, and from 1949-1985 was a member of the active staff of Queen’s General Hospital as anaesthetist.
Borden was a founding member of the Liverpool Flying Club and a prime mover in the development of the Liverpool Airport in Greenfield. As the Civil Aviation medical examiner he felt he should learn to fly to better to understand the problems experienced by pilots. He qualified as a private pilot in 1974. He also became a member of the Canadian Society of Aero-Space Medicine, and was an Honourary Life Member of the St John Ambulance Association. He retained his army reserve commission as a major and was an active member of the 133rd Battery, 14th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery in Liverpool until its dissolution.
Besides his parents, Borden was predeceased by his first wife, L. Claire (Nickerson), whom he had married in 1942, and his brother, H. Arthur Bird.
He is survived by his second wife, Muriel (Ledwidge, Richard), son, John (Ruth) of Rhodes Corner, daughter, Carolyn, of Chester Basin, stepson, Wayne (Debbie) Richard of Dartmouth and stepdaughter Lorna Marks of Kentville; grandchildren Ian Branson of Mission Veijo, CA and his son Brendon, and Jennifer Plesh of Lake Forest, CA, and her children Aaron and Gabrielle; step grandchildren, Richard Simoneau of Sudbury, ON and Katie Simoneau of Manitouwadge, ON, step great grandchildren Dominic and Sean; nieces Nancy (John) Hood of Yarmouth and Mary Lou (Gardiner) Smith of Massachusetts.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday April 17th at 2 p.m. at Zion United Church, Liverpool, under the direction of Chandler’s Funeral Service, Ltd. In lieu of flowers, donations in Borden’s memory may be made to the Queens County branch of the Nova Scotia Museum, Zion United Church, Liverpool, or a charity of one’s choice. Dr. Bird was extremely well-liked by many people. To the end of his days he maintained an alert, questing mind, and although he had several hobbies, (flying, photography, fishing, gardening, travel,) his love of people was his life-long occupation and passion. Rest in peace, Dad.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chandlersfuneral.com
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Sally (Lake)Belding
My condolences to Dr.Birds family and friends….one of the best Doctors Liverpool ever had…He put me too sleep for both of my C-sections back in the early 70’s, never a kinder man and doctor have I ever know..Rest in peace Dr.Bird.
God Bless
Viv Croft
Sending my condolences to the family. When I took my ham radio course back in the 90’s Mrs. Bird was also in the class. Love hearing the stories that he use to tell us at break time. Dr. Bird was my moms doctor back in 64. He help bring me in this world. Now you are at peace.
Enid MacKay
Muriel and the family. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Gordon and Jackie Eisnor
Muriel and Families:Saddened to hear of Borden’s passing.He was such a great person.Condolences to all his family.
Peter and Debbie An thony
We will keep you in our prayers
Peggy Kelley
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Joan and Howard Henderson
Extending our regrets and condolences to Borden’s family….we were very fond of Borden …he was a remarkable man. Rest in peace Borden, you will be missed.
Jean Stafford
Sending Condolences to the Bird families .He was a great person
deb Sponagle
My sincere condolences to all of Dr. Bird’s family, he was one of the best! a fine Doctor and person.
Sheila Munroe & Myra Knox
Dr Bird you was my 1st Dr,always remember the house calls for Victor. was sad when you retired but always know you will be remembered by me and mon. Victor never forgot you even through to the end. you will be missed by many,deepest thoughts to all of you family.
Sheila Munroe(Knox) , myra and Victor Knox.Rest in Peace
Tim McDonald
My condolences to all of Dr. Bird’s family. He was a regular customer at Memory Lane in Liverpool where I worked for over 20 years and I looked forward to his visits. The stories he told from many years ago were such a joy to hear and he could easily go back 60 -70 years or more with great accuracy and detail. Like so many others, he also brought me into the world back in 1965. He was a great man and will be missed!
Murray & Myrna Wigglesworth
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of ‘Dr. Bird’. Please accept our sincerest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families during these difficult times. If it wasn’t for him I would have left this world after an accident at home one evening when I was only about 6 years old and I’m sure I was not the only patient that he saved over the years. He will be remembered fondly in our household.
Pat Wigglesworth
Muriel and Families
So sorry to hear of Dr. Birds passing. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Lois pretty
As a young nurse working at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool in the mid 60’s I remember Dr Bird well.
Kind , professional and caring as well as having the ability to put a novice nurse at ease in difficult situations.
MERNA RIDEOUT OLSSON
DEAR MURIEL AND FAMALIES
PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR.BIRD. HE WAS A KIND GENTLE MAN AND ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM AT THE HOSPITAL. PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
Millie (Trainor) & Pat Clements
John and Carolyn and family. Please accept our condolenses on your loss. He was always my hero and I loved him dearly. I went to visit him several times for his Birthday but he was not home. I was so disappointed to have missed him every time. It is very hard losing a parent but you were so lucky to have him so long.
James and Florence Boughen
Our sympathy to the family of Dr. Bird. We were good neighbours in Drumlin Hills as well as briefly in Ridgewood. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Sincerely
Jim and Florence
john bain
john, carolyn and family. so saddened to have read this and my prayers are with you at this difficult time. he sure was a big part of our family and will surely be missed
Lynn Lavender
Muriel and family,
So sorry to hear of Dr. Birds passing…he was a kind man and was great to work with him at QGH. Take care.
Allison and Laura Rankine
Sending our sincerest condolences to my dear Aunt Muriel and all Borden’s family. What a joy and a delight he was!! I will miss sharing one of his special “Ambrosia” drinks! LOL We feel such a loss with his departure, yet can’t help but feel greatful to have had the privilege of knowing him and enjoying his amazingly accurate stories of the past. I recall when we would be down visiting he and Aunt Muriel, we could go for a trip to the store and easily have at least 1-2 people come up and greet him and tell us he had delivered them!!
It can certainly be said of him that his was a life well lived! God Bless him and all his family.
Pamela Foley
My condolences to Dr. Bird’s family at this difficult time. I broke my wrist, as a child, in 1974, and my parents were so relieved that this wonderful person was on call that night at the hospital. He was a good man, with a kind bedside manner, especially with children. He will be missed…..
Vernon & Joyce Hawkes
Dear Muriel and families
He was a great soft spoken doctor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Belinda Wentzell Delong
Muriel and all the rest of Dr Birds Family,my thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this sad time..Dr Bird was a great Dr. and had a great memory when he met you at the store or where ever,he said to me one day dont tell me your name”Just a minute”and he called me by name.And I am from a family of 14 ,he delivered us all but two. Great Man and will always be remembered.
Valerie Inness
Dear Family:
What a stately man he was. I knew both the first Mrs Bird and Doctor Bird though the Queens County Museum.
They were both wonderful and kind people. It was a privilege to have known them both. I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolence to all the family
Sincerely
Valerie
Linda (Clancy) Swain
We have lost a wonderful person with Dr. Bird’s passing. He was my mother’s doctor when she moved to the area as a young woman . He not only delivered my sister and I but also my two daughters . He always had time to listen and offered wonderful advice to a nervous young mother . Whenever we met he was always interested in what I was doing and how the children were doing . I have such nice memories of Dr. Bird and will cherish them . Sincere sympathies to the family .
Anne MacFond
Dear John and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad was always the same at anytime that we spoke over the years. Somehow he never seemed to age either. It was a privilege to know him. I was also one of the many babies he delivered into this world. May only the best of times soon rest in your memories of him. Sincerely., Anne ( Cameron) MacDonald
Hugh&Pat Dixon
Muriel &Family.
Sorry to hear of Dr Birds passing.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Clarke and Linda Rafuse
Please accept our sincere sympathy in the passing of Dr. Bird. We will remember him always as a kind and loving man……a true gentleman with a great sense of humor and heart full of love, compassion and kindness. He will be missed by many.
Regards,
Clarke and Linda Rafuse
Ted Dickie
Dr , Bird was my mother and father’s doctor.His house calls were always looked forward too.A conversation with my dad,Reg always involved the woods.He respected Dad who knew more about the woods than any man alive.Dad had nothing but respect for Dr. Bird.He was always referred to as Borden.Remember when i had mono in my last year at Acadia.Borden came to the house on numerous visit to see how I was doing.A great,kind man who put his mark on this community,in many ways.Rest in peace,Borden—-you have earned it.My condolenences to the family. TED
Marina Drummond
Borden leaves us with such sadness , but also with so many wonderful memories of his vital and interesting life..
He brought joy and happiness into Muriels life and thus into mine as his favorite sister-in -law.
RIP.
Marina
Kathy Rumbolt
To The Bird Family,
I was saddened to hear of Dr. Bird’s passing. He was the epitome of a family physician and I always thought of him when I saw the Norman Rockwell portrait,” in the office”. I had the pleasure of being his patient and also working with him as a new graduate nurse in 1979 at QGH. I will always remember him for his professionalism.
carol longard
John, Carolyn Muriel. So sorry to hear of the passing of Borden. He was such an interesting man, very kind
and had such a great sense of humour. Art was always very proud of his uncle we so enjoyed our visits to
Liverpool with he and Aunt Claire and after Art’s passing I enjoyed a lovely visit with he and Muriel. The obituary certainly captured his full, dynamic life, he certainly lived it to the fullest! We will miss him.
Nellie Crouse
Sending my heartfelt condolences to The Bird family at this sad time. Dr. Bird was our family physician for many years. He was the “baby doctor” for the birth of my three children along with many others in Liverpool. Thank you for your devotion to your patients and the town of Liverpool. RIP.
Kirsty (Wright) Tousignant
Dear Carolyn and John — I have been saddened to learn of your father’s passing. That a loved parent has had a very long and fulfilled life does not mitigate the pain of losing a lifelong bond. Please accept my sympathy.
I had always thought your father was older than my own; I now see that this must have been because Dad always spoke of ‘Borden’ –born in the same year as himself — with such unqualified respect, as well as the affection of a friend from boyhood.
I knew your father as a family friend, so my only memories of ‘Doctor’ Bird are of him, strong in surgical greens, at the lunch table on surgery days in those sunny summers long ago. But I remember that he knew where to fish for trout, was ( to me incomprehensibly) fond of spending time in cold wet marshes in duck season, and that he had strong views on what cars to drive, and where to buy them . I also remember his deep affection for and pride in his children, so obvious to me although never spoken about when I was around. These are small fragments of memory to give in tribute to a great and good man; but they are all happy memories which have remained vivid for a lifetime, and may in some small way may be another reflection of how strong and warm an impression he made upon so many, over so many years.
I have another much more recent memory — of finding among my father’s papers a handwritten letter your father had sent to him after my older brother’s death . It was a kind, careful, and deeply thoughtful letter. It must have been very difficult to write. I don’t know if Dad was able to understand it; I’m certain he was unable to reply. It was very moving to read, years later . I mention it now as characteristic of your father’s loyalty to his friendships, and of his compassionate understanding of troubled spirits… My own Dad is in good health , and enjoys his life; but he is well beyond being able to realize that he has lost a friend. I know he would want me to express the sorrow he would feel, if he could understand , as well as my own sympathy to you , and my condolences to Mrs. Bird, and to your families.
Kirsty
Cindy Leggiadro
Carolyn,
My deepest condolences on the recent loss of your father. From reading the messages and his obituary I see that he was a great and wonderful human being. Loved and respected by those that came to know him.
Please accept my sympathy
Cindy
Jane.payzant
We are so very sorry.Dr Bird was a remarkable person. His contributions to the hospital and the town will always be remembered.Our deepest sympathy.
Roy and Jane Payzant
Patricia Whynot
I met Dr. bird when I first started working at QGH in 1975. He was always ready to teach me about anything . RIP Dr Bird. He always pushed his glasses up to his forehead when he was ready to talk!
Sterling Belliveau
Condolences to the Bird family on the loss of a very special member of your family. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
With sincere sympathy
Sterling Belliveau, MLA
Joy McDonald
My most favorite Dr. of all time. He was there through all my years and brought both my children through C sections. RIP D. Bird.
Dr. John Sullivan
To the family of the late Dr. Stephen Borden Bird:
It is with deep regret that Doctors Nova Scotia received word of the death of your family member, Borden. I know I speak for all of our members when I extend to you and your family the association’s sincerest sympathy. He will be greatly missed in our medical community.
Doctors Nova Scotia has made a contribution to the Memorial Fund for Nova Scotia Physicians in memory of Borden. The fund was established in 1975 to honour the memory of its deceased members. The income from the memorial fund is used to support the education of students in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.
Sincere personal regrets,
John Sullivan, MD FRCSC
President
Bernice Theriault
My thoughts and prayers to Muriel, John and Ruth and other family members.
I love the passion that Borden had for others. He was always so caring and kind. In the brief 2 years I had to spend with Borden and Muriel – I enjoyed his soft humor and compassion. He was one of those people I LOVED to see each day when I went to work.
Borden, I pray for your restful peace.
Many hugs
Bernice
Dianne LeBlanc
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr.Bird’s passing!
I could never mention all the reasons I loved Dr. Bird!
He not only delivered me but also my own daughter.
One time he made a house call because he had heard of a medical dilemma I was in as a young girl and he wasn’t even asked to come!
Dr Bird in my opinion You were The Best General Practioner Ever!
My heartfelt condolences to your family
Dianne
Dr. John Sullivan
It is with deep regret that Doctors Nova Scotia received word of the death of your family member, Borden. I know I speak for all of our members when I extend to you and your family the association’s sincerest sympathy. He will be greatly missed in our medical community.
Doctors Nova Scotia has made a contribution to the Memorial Fund for Nova Scotia Physicians in memory of Borden. The fund was established in 1975 to honour the memory of its deceased members. The income from the memorial fund is used to support the education of students in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.
Sincere personal regrets,
John Sullivan, MD FRCSC
President
Eddie and Evie Fisher
To Dr. Bird.s family We are sorry to hear the passing of Dr. Bird , Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jane Thies-potvin
I have just learned of Dr. Birds passing. He was a wonderful family friend and neighbour for many years. We will always remember him with great fondness. Our sympathies to Muriel and families
Barbara Tutty
In the 1940’s when Dr.Bird joined Dr.Wickwire in his office on Main St, I was one of his patients. He was my doctor until he retired, well-loved, both as a doctor, and as a friend. My sympathy to all of you who loved him.
Sincerely,
Barbara Brittain Tutty
Mark Longard
So Sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Borden . He was such a great man . I will cherish the fond memories I have as a kid spending time in Liverpool with he and Aunt Claire . Much condolences John , Caroline and Family .
Sincerly , Mark Longard