MALCOLM THOMAS (BUD) REID

13 JANUARY 1936 - 12 JANUARY 2026

Dad passed away in his sleep at Baywoods Long Term Home, one day before his 90th Birthday. Born in Hamilton to Malcolm and Ellen Reid, he was the oldest of 3 sons. Both of his brothers, Donald and Douglas, predeceased him. He married the love of his life Sally (Sargeant) in 1954, just after he joined the RCAF, and together they raised 3 children, James, Norman and Nancy Until Mom died in 2010, they were seldom apart for more than a few hours. Dad lovingly cared for Mom after she took ill until her passing in 2010. They were married for over 55 years.

Dad was always curious and willing to try anything - he was proud to say he’d flown in a Lancaster Bomber and gone to sea in a submarine.He had a variety of hobbies throughout his life including photography, model trains, gardening, and he and Mom were members of the Hamilton Miniature Club. He always had a history or biography book on the go. Dad never passed up a chance for fish & chips - even in his last year in St. Peter’s and Baywoods, when his appetite wasn’t the best, he could devour a 2 piece order. Family holidays were camping trips all over Ontario. A rainy day on a camping trip usually meant an excursion to see how something like how clocks were made , how the Peterborough Lift Locks worked, or to whatever had caught his eye while driving around. In the summers, he and Mom would set up a campsite outside Hamilton and Dad would go into work and return every night. It was an idyllic time. Dad was a long-time volunteer at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and that allowed him to satisfy two key interests - aircraft and chatting with people. He loved nothing more than explaining the details of an aircraft, many of which were familiar to him from his time in the RCAF, to children.

With Mom he made an annual trip to Florida and together they made more friends who they looked forward to seeing each winter and in some cases visited outside of those trips. A trip to Australia to see their grandchildren was a highlight, as were occasional trips to Nova Scotia. After Mom passed Dad made pilgrimages to Port Elgin to relive his times with his own parents. A trip to the UK was another highlight and that included aVIP tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Museum in Coningsby, Norfolk and, of course, a diet of fish and chips. Notwithstanding his age of 80, he jumped up into the only other flying Lancaster Bomber for a personal tour - he could have given it.

Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren were a special joy for Dad. He loved being with them and sharing cookies which apparently always came in pairs. For those in far flung places, he was always available for a call - they were never short. Their accomplishments and lives were always of interest - it was all worth bragging about no matter where he was or the audience. He will be sorely missed by Katrina, David, Doug Emma and great-granddaughter Callie.

After leaving the RCAF in 1960. Dad was blessed with a career which gave him much pleasure. As a home appliance repairman, mainly withEatons, he got to drive around the Hamilton area meeting people from all walks of life and yes, repairing their machines. Short stints in the shop were never appreciated - he wanted to be on the road. Meeting new Canadians and hearing about their beliefs and practices was a special pleasure. Many nights he returned from a job at an area farm with a couple baskets of produce for Mom to can.

No matter the challenges, or his condition, Dad was always positive. He considered himself very lucky to have had a great and long marriage with Mom , a career that he loved, and a loving circle of family and friends. Positive to the end, he pronounced on the day before he passed away that he felt "pretty good". Dad preached and practiced a life of tolerance and acceptance. Whatever their race, religion, colour, creed, ability or orientation, he wanted to be friends with all those he encountered. There were, to be sure, times when this wasn’t the most popular thing to do but he never wavered. His preaching on tolerance and acceptance started when we were young and never stopped.

With the support of his great neighbours, Dad was able to spend most of his last years in the home that he loved so much. The family appreciates the special efforts and friendship of neighbours Michael and Bibi Shivcharran and their sons, Anne Hart, as well as Janice Hart who provided many years of support and care, regularly visited Dad in St Peter’s Hospital and Baywoods and listened to all his stories.

 His life was enriched by their friendship and care.Along with his children Jim (Martha), Norm, Nancy (Ted), grandchildren Katrina (Angela), David (Rachel) Douglas, Emma (Syd), Doug, and their mothers Liz Wood and Barbara Reid, and his great-grandchild Callie, Dad will be missed by his sister-in law Barb (Sargeant) Baker and her sons Derek, Ken and Jeff, and many other cousins. nieces , nephews as well as his life long friends, Ron and Diane Branch.

Please honour Dad’s values and interests by donating to Autism Ontario, Rainbow Railroad, or The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. A Celebration of Life will be arranged for later this year.