Manitoba man pays tribute to his father who passed away from COVID-19
A Manitoba man found a unique way to pay tribute to his dad who passed away due to COVID-19.
Larry Baillie, who lost his dad to COVID-19 back in November 2020, decided to shave off his beard for the first time since restrictions were put in place and then set off on a half-marathon passing places that meant something to his father.
Baillie said he originally planned to do this six weeks ago when he was going to run in the police half-marathon, as his dad was a police officer in Toronto, but the event was postponed due to health restrictions.
Larry Baillie running part of his half-marathon Tuesday, June 22, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Larry Baillie running part of his half-marathon Tuesday, June 22, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
"I will be running from the Bombers' stadium, to my dad's nursing home, via the Legislature," said Baillie.
He said all these locations were important to his dad as he was an avid football fan, died from COVID-19 at the Maple's care home after he battled skin cancer and he was a voice for seniors during the pandemic.
"My dad was the ultimate cheerleader. My dad had a smile that would light up a room and a laughter that you could hear for miles."
Baillie said he is doing this as one final trip, as he would go to football games at IG Field with his dad and then they would head home.
"So I am taking one final trip, I took a trip on the 11th when he passed away, November 11. December 24 I picked up his belongings, today will be the third and final time I will ever be near the Maples."
Larry Baillie getting his beard shaved before running his half-marathon on June 22, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Larry Baillie getting his beard shaved before running his half-marathon on June 22, 2021. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Baillie wants to remind people that all of those people who have died from COVID-19 at the Maples, including his dad, are not just numbers or statistics, they were friends and family and loved ones of others in the province.
Baillie said he is also raising money and so far has gathered over $2,000 and his goal is over $9,000 and if he hits his mark, he said he would shave his head.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. schools turn to artificial intelligence to spot guns as companies press lawmakers for state funds
Kansas could soon offer up to US$5 million in grants for schools to outfit surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence systems that can spot people carrying guns. But the governor needs to approve the expenditures and the schools must meet some very specific criteria.
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Cohen expected to take the stand as testimony in Trump hush money case enters 4th week
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.