Thomas Ralph Wayne Bailey
April 12, 1945 – June 4, 2023
With sadness the family of Tom Bailey announces that he passed away at his home on June 4, 2023.
Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife Carol (nee Goodale), son David (Robin), grandchildren Tegan (Cody), Taryn (Jordan) and Rhett (Alicia); great grandchildren Rory, Ivy, Poppy, Jett and Tripp and sister Beverley Wolfe, as well as numerous extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Bessie Bailey, sister Noreen, brother-in-law Jack Wolfe and great grandson Colton Thomas Pryce.
Tom was born in Portage la Prairie and grew up on the family farm at Macdonald. Upon leaving school he worked in mines at Lynn Lake and Esterhazy. He returned home to the family farm where he remained until his passing.
Tom married Carol Goodale and they had a son David. Tom loved farming and always enjoyed checking crops around the farm and those around other areas. He decided to work at getting his pilots license and soon became a licensed spray pilot. He combined that with farming and operating a seed cleaning plant. Tom loved all aspects of farming, spraying and seed cleaning and was proud when David wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. As the years moved on David and Tom switched roles. David, who was ground crew became an aerial pilot and Tom moved to the ground crew.
Tom and Carol now had time to travel. Many trips were made to various parts of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. An RV was purchased, and 10 years of enjoyable trips were made to Mesa. Tom especially loved the drive down to venture out in Mesa and many new and dear friends were made. Tom enjoyed woodworking, scroll sawing and developing pictures. He enjoyed working out around the yard and always loved it when the yard work was complete and he would look back out and see what his work looked like. He was very proud of winning the Fort la Reine Museum Shield for Best Farm Home Grounds District 2 in 2006.
Grandchildren were very important to Tom. He always had time for them and was proud of their accomplishments. He loved to share his knowledge of various topics and truly enjoyed visiting with them. He taught them to give what they were doing their best and always encouraged that even thou you do your best it does not mean you always win. When the great grandchildren arrived, they were his pride and joy. He loved the attention they gave him. He was their Papa so whatever they did was OK with him.
Tom enjoyed visiting with the Coffee Crew who attended his coffee “shop” in the shop on the farm everyday once the restaurant at Westbourne closed. Lasting friendships have been made. Terry McIntyre, a lifelong friend came for coffee right until June 2. Tom and Terry continued to do many activities as the years moved on.
A celebration of Tom’s life, led by Wilma Shirriff, will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 3:00 pm on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Interment will follow in Macdonald Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Macdonald Park at any Stride Credit Union location.
Breathe easy Papa. We will always love you.
A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.