Born in Vancouver, BC, Dr. Tom Bailey devoted his life to family, medicine, and to family medicine. Growing up in Victoria, Beamsville (ON), Oxford (UK), and Vancouver, by his late teens Tom knew his vocation and knew the love of his life: Nancy, a young woman he had met in 1970 while both were Easter Seals camp counsellors. He married her in 1973 and earned his medical degree from UBC in 1976, his first son born the same day as his final exam.
He completed his residency in family medicine at Dalhousie University in 1978. He became the proud father of two more sons as he set up a medical practice in Victoria’s Western Communities, where he worked as a family physician for more than forty years.
His family grew to include four grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. His workload grew as well. He served in numerous capacities supporting family medicine, including everything from maternity through eldercare, from exam writer to committee organizer to president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (2006-2007). He did all his work without boast or complaint.
Tom is profoundly missed by his wife Nancy; children Stephen (Christine), Andrew (Elena), and Michael (Emily); grandchildren Presley, Hayden, Isaac, and Bergen; siblings John (Brenda), Peter (Janet), and Maggie (Don); nieces; nephews; friends; family; colleagues; teammates; and patients. Tom’s death was sudden and unexpected but he spent every day of his life doing what he loved with people whom he loved.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church, 1611 Quadra Street, on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in keeping with Tom’s life.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
86 Responses
To Dr. Bailey’s family- I send my sympathies to you all.
Dr. Bailey was my mother’s doctor for many years. My mother developed dementia & Dr. Bailey gave her excellent care . When my mother went pass his office which was at St. Anthony’s Clinic then, she would think “Oh, I have an appointment with Dr. Bailey” and she would go into the office. She didn’t have an appointment but Dr. Bailey always saw her. She was comforted by the visit.
Dr. Bailey has been my doctor since I moved to Victoria 12 years ago. I have received very good care & advice from him. He will definitely be missed by many patients.
My deepest condolences. Tom was a special member of the College of Family Physicians and in my nearly 40 years working there I had the privilege of working with Tom on many different projects. He was devoted to his career and to the discipline. It was an honour to know him. A donation to World Vision Health Care has been made in his memory.
Dr Bailey will surely be missed. Having shared many birth experiences over the years in Labour & Delivery with Tom, l was aware of his joy and dedication in all aspects of his career and his community. He has inspired and supported many to follow his path—a credit to his own family. May the memories heal and comfort us all.
Tom was one of the best men we have ever known, and a close friend of 40 years. He will be greatly missed by all. His family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ted and Dan Lavallee
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Bailey’s passing. He was my doctor for a no of years and also looked after my husband at the Priory in Langford. He will be greatly missed! My condolences to all his family.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I began working with Dr. Bailey in March, through the RCI program. He was always so kind, generous with his time, intelligent, and had a funny sense of humour.
Our team would often share with each other how much we respected him and were so grateful to have him on our team. He always treated everyone with respect and kindness, for which I am so grateful. Every facility team member that spoke of him did so with the highest praise.
My last memory of him was during team pictures, where he was explaining to me that it was a myth that you could tell if someone was from Ireland or Scotland based on the ‘Mc’ or ‘Mac’ of their last name.
He is irreplaceable.
I am profoundly saddened and so sorry for your loss of a great man. He has been my doctor for 40 years as well as my families. He was genuinely caring and patient and they will be no other like him. We will miss him dearly.
You will be missed. Condolences to your family friends and patients.
I just heard this sad news yesterday. Dr. Bailey has been my GP for 35+ years and took on my family as it grew. He even went to the trouble of setting us up with a GP in QC when we moved away for 3 years, and happily took us back upon our return. I saw him last week and asked if he had any plans on retiring on us any time soon and he said no. I told him how happy I was to hear it and that I really appreciated having him as a Dr. If anyone deserved to enjoy his retirement, it was that man for sure; he worked tirelessly through his career, would visit you in hospital etc, etc, etc. I recently nominated him for GP of the year; wish he had won it! Such a loss for his family, friends, and patients. My condolences to all those that loved him; I am so very, very sorry for your loss!
Dr Bailey was a kind soul with quick wit and a sense of humour to share with his hospital colleagues. Never bothered by a phone call day or night no matter the reason. He was loved by his patients, they always expressed gratitude towards him saying how lucky they were to have him.
Sincere condolences to his family. May the find memories shared help ease your pain.