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
DR BAILEY !
He was an awesime example of a dedicated Dr and of a good man . Thankyou Dr Bailey for your due care & attention for our whole family !
You were very special !
You will be greatly missed
Your family was blessed to haveYou !
Sorry for your loss Mrs Bailey and Family
Sincerely ,
Elsas Family
Elsas Family
Our condolences and deepest sympathy to Dr. Bailey’s family:
We are so sorry and shocked to hear of your loss. Dr. Bailey was our family doctor for 16 years. He was always thoughtful and kind with a great sense of humour. A fine man and a wonderful doctor. He will be greatly missed!
I had the pleasure and honour of working under Tom’s leadership in long term care for nearly 20 years.
We couldn’t have asked for a better leader. Tom led by example even if none of us could measure up to him. He was so hard-working and productive. We would routinely all share credit for something that was 90% Tom’s work. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tom was the smartest guy in the room yet remained humble. He made sure everyone’s opinion was heard and considered. He was a great mentor who was very encouraging to doctors starting into the field.
I’m not surprised Tom’s family medicine patients are sharing their thoughts and grief. He seemed to embody everything a patient would want in a family doctor starting with genuine caring and kindness.
I’ll miss Tom’s humour and playfulness. You could count on him to lighten the mood of a serious discussion with a witty quip, or insert a ridiculous acronym into the agenda of a meeting. Only Tom could skillfully chair a meeting while also keeping everyone abreast of the score in an Olympic gold medal hockey game.
Tom was dedicated to helping give the best possible care for patients yet also worried about the well-being his colleagues. It seems unreal that someone that selfless and good can suddenly disappear. What a huge gaping void he has left us to try and fill in. I can’t imagine the loss for his loved ones.
Dr. Bailey is gone but the good he did and the example he set will outlive all of us. We should all be so lucky.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Tom Bailey’s family. I know that you had to share your husband and father with us the medical community over the years, as he was a very dedicated caring family physician. Having worked with him for many years in LDR, it was always a pleasure to work along side such a devoted Doctor. His cheerful personality was always as colourful as his wonderful Ties! May all the wonderful memories ease and replace the sadness in time.
OUR CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY, HE WAS A VERY GOOD DOCTOR AND FRIEND.HE MADE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ON A VISIT.HE WAS OUR DOCTOR EVER SINCE WE MOVED TO LANGFORD AND THAT WAS IN 1977.HE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Dr. Bailey always spoke so lovingly of each of his kids, and was such a proud grandpa. He always had a picture to share. Dr. Bailey was the best of the best. He was our family doctor for 15 years and saw me through 2 pregnancies. He even delivered our twins- his first twin delivery. His level of compassion and care is unmatched. He will be missed.
To Dr. Bailey’s family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. There is no need for me to tell you what a wonderful and amazing person Dr. Bailey was. His passing is a great, great loss to the community, but so much for you, his family. Dr. Bailey, he was definitely one of a kind and I am just so heartbroken he has gone. He took such good good care of me this year especially when I was very ill, and I am forever grateful. I shall miss that smile…..that lovely smile of his when he walked into the room, to greet you, his patient. Sleep well Dr. Bailey, you made a big impact on my life, and I shall never forget you.
Dr. Bailey was my doctor for 34 years. He was the kindest, most caring man, always took the time to listen and never rushed an appointment. My deepest condolences to his wife and family. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Nancy,
Our thoughts are with you and your family as you are accompanying Tom for his last journey. We share your grief. We will remember Tom forever, his dedication to his loved ones and to family medicine and his crisp sense of humour.
With all our hearts,
Marie-Dominique and Laurier
Nancy, Stephen, Andrew and Michael
Over the years I have known Tom, we have been reminded of his humanity, his compassion and enthusiasm for life. We have all benefited from his being a skilled clinician, community-based, using effective relationships and being a resource to his many communities.
Tom has represented the very best as a family physician and team player in health service delivery.
There are many many people who have benefitted from Tom’s interest, enthusiasm and caring.
His interests in modelling the effective roles of teacher, mentor, and compassionate carer validate what thousands of family physicians in Canada do every day and every night.
I count myself as exceptionally fortunate to have worked with Tom and to have witnessed his impact as our National President.
Tom made many differences during his tenure as a Canadian family physician and he has raised the bar of commitment to service for all of us.
Tom is profoundly missed and you have our appreciation and thanks for helping him be the person he is and affecting all of our lives in the ways he did.
David Moores
Professor of Family Medicine
University of Alberta
CFPC National President ’93-’94