Obituary of Edward Thomas Baird, Jr.

Edward Thomas Baird, Jr., 69, of Freehold Township passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 30, 2023 surrounded by his family.  Edward was born and raised on Staten Island.  He had lived in Brooklyn and Queens until moving to the Silvermead Community in Freehold Township a few years ago.  Edward retired from the City of New York as a corrections officer on Rikers Island.  With a green thumb, he relished his time in his garden, especially growing his tomato plants.  Edward had a passion for the Rolling Stones and followed NASCAR.  He was a fisherman and enjoyed his time at the beach which he lived by for many years.

Edward was predeceased by his father, Edward Thomas Baird.  He is survived by his children, Thea Baird, Edward Baird, III and Lindsay Baird; his mother, Shirley Baird; siblings, Melody Baird-Vanni and her husband, Arthur and Colleen Lagotta; nephews and nieces, Christopher Vanni, Vanessa Vanni, and Desiree Vanni; great nieces and nephews, Johnny, Max, Claire, Leo, and Reece; and former wife and longtime friend, Wendy Burgess-Baird.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 and 6:00 to 7:30 PM with his funeral service to begin at 7:30 PM.  Interment will be private.  For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.   For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.