Obituary of William D Baird

William D. Baird, Jr., known as Denny, of New Vernon, NJ, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 6th, 2015 at the age of 70. He was the son of William D. Baird and Dorothy Wodehouse Baird. Born in Washington, DC, the son of a Naval Aviator, Denny was raised in various parts of the country including McLean, Virginia, where he graduated high school. At Brown University, Denny was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity and he graduated in 1968 with a degree in Political Science. Denny's 43 year career in commercial and investment banking included 27 years at Chemical Bank where he served as President of Chemical Bank-Delaware and Managing Director of the Global Securities and Foreign Exchange Group. In the early 90s, he was named CEO of Princeton Bank and Trust Company. He also served as CEO of the Glenmede Trust Company of New Jersey and CEO of Beacon Trust Company before retiring in 2011. He was a member of numerous community boards including service as Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, trustee of McCarter Theatre and the Executive Council of the New Jersey Network Foundation. Denny was a longtime member of the Morris County Golf Club, the Morristown Club, and Saint John on the Mountain Episcopal Church. He enjoyed playing golf, gardening, collecting art, his golden retrievers, and spending time with family in Duck, North Carolina. Denny is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joy; sons, Chip and his wife Tressa of Bernardsville, NJ, David and his wife Jill of Arlington, VA, and Andrew and his wife Sarah of Kent, CT and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his three siblings, Lyn, Richard and Laura and their families. Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday May 10th 1-4PM at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Monday May 11th at 10am at The Episcopal Church of Saint John on the Mountain, 379 Mt Harmony Rd, Bernardsville, NJ. Burial will follow the funeral at St. Bernards Cemetery, Washington Ave, Bernardsville, NJ. For further information please contact the funeral home at 908-766-0250, or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Campaign 360, c/o Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, 475 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960.