Dr. Ronald Spencer Baigrie, of Sudbury, Ontario, passed away on November 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
Dr. Baigrie, or Ron, as he was known to those close to him, was born on March 31, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario, son of the late Gerald (“Jerry”) and Alice Baigrie (nee Saunders), and brother of the late Carol Ann Baigrie.
He grew up in Scarborough, Ontario. His dream was to go to medical school and after high school he applied to the pre-med program at the University of Toronto. The Registrar informed him that he was not eligible for admission to the pre-med program but offered him a spot in the general arts and sciences department. Never one to take the first no as a final answer, Ron went down to the Registrar’s office to persuade U of T to reconsider. He matriculated that fall as a pre-med student.
Ron’s perseverance and hard work led him to his graduation four years later, and then onward to medical school. After graduating from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1969, he embarked on a forty-plus year career in cardiac medicine, including a fellowship in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where he learned to speak Dutch. When he returned to Canada, he joined the team at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He became certified as a Specialist in Cardiology in 1975 and worked at the Toronto General Hospital before going to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where he served as Chief of Cardiology for many years. During that time, he married his first wife and had a daughter, Courtney.
After Ron’s marriage ended and Ron wanted new challenges professionally, he moved to Sudbury in 1994 to begin a new chapter in his life. He took the opportunity to open a private cardiology practice, as well as open a cardiology diagnostic and research lab. He treated patients at Sudbury Memorial and later, Health Sciences North. Dr. Baigrie was a brilliant physician who treated his patients with unwavering respect and compassion.
Shortly after establishing his practice in Sudbury, he met and fell in love with Diane Kirkpatrick. As fate would have it, they became soulmates and were married. Ron’s impressive career was surpassed only by his passion for life. His insatiable curiosity led him to a lifetime of adventure with his wife. Being avid sailors, they sailed for 30 years in the North Channel and later in the Mediterranean. In 2011, when Ron was 67 years old, he and Diane sailed from the south of England to Spain and from there journeyed through the Mediterranean to countless ports in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. With Ron at the helm, and Diane as the navigator, they were “Dos Capitanes”. Together, they spent thirty years building a life and raising their daughters Courtney, Alishia, Stephanie, and Sarah.
Ron was a tremendous father, silly and fun, but also wanted the best for his daughters. He challenged them to be the best versions of themselves. He was loving and engaging and offered them endless encouragement.
Ron is survived by his wife, Diane, and his daughters: Courtney (Darren), Alishia (James), Stephanie (Peter), and Sarah (Andrey). He was adored grandfather to River, Cameron, Jack, Edith, and Benjamin. He is loved forever for his playfulness and sense of humour that made him magnetic to everyone that he loved. Words cannot express the profound loss and grief felt by all those who knew and loved Ron.
Ron’s family is sincerely grateful for all of the staff at Health Sciences North, and will never be able to express their deep gratitude for the care and compassion of the Emergency Department nursing staff, especially Alison, the nursing angel who cared for him during his final hours.
As per Ron’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please raise a glass of wine, dram of scotch, or even a coffee and give a nod to an amazing man.