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
He was certainly “one of the good ones”.
The maternity care he delivered was top notch and always a special type of kind to the mothers and the staff. We will miss him very much. May his family find support in this terrible time by all the expression of how special he was.
To Dr. Bailey’s Family. Tom will be missed. I have worked as an RN with Tom for 40 years on the Maternity ward at Victoria General. Tom was always pleasent and cheerful no matter what time of the night or early mornings we would need to call him about his patients. It was very evident that he genuinely enjoyed the role he played in bringing babies into this world.
Dr. Bailey delivered my two daughters and was our family Dr. for years, wonderful man and will be sadly missed. R.I.P Dr. Bailey
To the family of Dr. Bailey
I’m so sorry for your loss. It was so shocking to hear this news of Dr. Bailey.
He was a wonderful doctor when I had my son. He was very caring and understanding person. He will be greatly missed.
God bless you dear Dr. Bailey. You have been such a wonderful support to me and my family for almost 40 years. I have shed many tears for your family and countless others whom you have given so much of your life to. You were a very kind and understanding man and you were always a source of strength for me. We will miss you so very much.
We were so heartbroken to hear about Dr. Bailey, he was such a wonderful man and Doctor. He delivered both my babies and we were fortunate to have him care for us for the past 30 yrs .. he will be missed by so many… Our condolences to his family and his staff at this time.
My sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues. Dr. Bailey was my family doctor for 32 years and delivered both of my children. He was also the doctor of my husband, my children and my granddaughter. He was always so kind and understanding. He will be greatly missed.
My deepest condolences to Dr. Bailey’s family. Dr. Bailey was my doctor for many years. He delivered 3 of my children. He always knew just want to say to give me a push in the right direction. Dr.Bailey helped me though my darkest times and never judged me. He was a amazing man. He will be missed by so many.
Dear Family and friends of Dr Bailey,
It was a shock to our family to hear the news of his sudden passing.
It caused us to talk about how he impacted our lives, and we are so very grateful. He was there for the birth of my two children, and has seen them through to adulthood! I moved away earlier this year and said goodbye, only to be returning in mid-October to share my joy of having beat what was ailing me…
So instead, I had a little conversation with him and told him my way… I was always heard with my concerns and appreciated him for his kindness and ethics. He leaves a big hole in the Langford community and will be warmly remembered and dearly missed.
Sending his family strength and courage to face times ahead without his presence, but knowing he watches directly over you now Love and Gratitude, Paola Wilson Audrey Winkler and Vincent Winkler
I have worked with Dr. Bailey for about 15 years on LDR. He truly will be missed, he was very caring and supportive and always a pleasure to work with. My thoughts are with your family.