Obituary of Owen & Helen Bird

David Owen Bird – September 18, 1934 – September 14, 2019

Owen Bird, of Arnprior ON, passed away at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital Saturday September 14, 2019, after a series of health complications at the age of 84.  Beloved husband of 66 years to Helen (nee Boundy). Owen is greatly missed by his children William (Kathy) of Ottawa ON, Kimbal (Misalys) of Ottawa, ON, John (late Kimberley) of Edmonton, AB, Pamela (Kelly) of Washago, ON and Aubrey (Erika) of Milton ON and by his 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.   

Owen is survived by his brother Roy (Dorothy) of Harvey Station, N.B. and was predeceased by his sister Ellen Rioux (Larry Donut) of P.E.I.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  Owen was born in Fredericton N.B. to John Robert Bird and Helena Annabella Bird (Paisley).

An alumnus of the University of New Brunswick for Mechanical Engineering, Owen went on to dedicate 40 years of service with BASF Canada retiring with the title President of BASF Canada.  His services with BASF included several patents and profitable years for the company.  He loved to work hard and play harder.  He enjoyed learning and had many hobbies. He was more than the phrase “Jack of all trades and master of none”.  Water colour artistry, playing and hand crafting Native Indian flutes, violins and violas, small boat building and sailing, archery and hunting, rally car driving and classic car enthusiast, motorcycling and model airplane RC flying and teaching were among his many talents.  A loving and proud husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, his most important time was spent with his family.  He is dearly missed. 

Funeral Services were held at the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street, Arnprior ON, on September 19, 2019. 

Helen Muriel Bird - December 7, 1934 – September 18, 2022

Helen Bird (née Boundy), of Arnprior ON, passed away peacefully at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital Sunday September 18, 2022, at the age of 87. Beloved high school sweetheart and wife for 66 years to Owen Bird, Helen is survived by her children William (Kathy) of Ottawa ON, Kimbal (Misalys) of Arnprior, ON, John (late Kimberley) of Sturgeon County, AB, Pamela Self (Kelly) of Washago, ON, and Aubrey (Erika) of Milton, ON and her 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Helen is predeceased by her husband Owen Bird, and her brother Grant Boundy. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Helen was born in Somerset PEI to John Clifford Boundy and Jemima Muriel Boundy (Tanton).

Helen attended Fredericton High as a teenager and completed her schooling at Arnprior District High School years later as an adult. She was an active member of Prior Players as an actor and director. She was a spokesperson for Weight Watchers and worked as an associate for Canadian Tire.

She is remembered for her positive outlook on life: smiling, singing, and breaking into laughter. She was always kind and helpful to others. A loving proud wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother-, her most important time was spent with her family; she is dearly missed. Helen’s two favourite charities were M.A.D.D. and War Amps.

Funeral Services were held at Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street, Arnprior ON, on September 25, 2022.

A joint interment to be held on August 5, 2023, beginning at McAdam’s Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m., and processing first to Sunny Bank Cemetery, then to Fredericton Rural Extension Cemetery in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  Reception to follow at 12:00 noon at McAdam’s Funeral Home.