Ward Bayly

Date of Birth

October 19, 1948

Date of Death

September 7, 2016

R. Warder Bayly was born the 19th, October, 1948 in Orange, California. Ward passed away September 7th, 2016 at Santa Barbara Serenity House, due to metastatic melanoma. He was 67.

He was the first born of Russell Seeley Bayly and Joan Virginia Young. He grew up in Pasadena, CA where he attended elementary through high school. Afterwards, he followed his civic duty by serving America in the United States Army in Vietnam from April 1967–Dec. 1969, where he received two purple hearts.

After returning from South East Asia he traveled the U.S. and Mexico, before attending the California Institute of Arts in Los Angeles 1970. In 1971 he moved to Finland to attend the Helsinki School of Industrial Arts, today known as Aalto University. While in Finland he traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, learning more about life abroad. Among his many accomplishments, he held his own art show of wood sculptures at a Helsinki Art Gallery 1973. Returning back to California 1974 he continued his studies at Cal Arts earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic Design.

During his professional career he worked for a brief period as a graphic designer, and then pursued his own business as a successful General Building Contractor in Santa Barbara.

Throughout his life he loved the outdoors: surfing, hiking, fishing, biking and golf. He and his wife Kikka, companion of 46 years, took their family everywhere – skiing winters in Lake Tahoe, frequent visits to Finland and Hawaii, New Zealand and beyond, also living in Costa Rica for a year. During their travels Ward and his family made many lifelong cherished friends throughout the world. Ward was a true Renaissance man who accomplished anything he set his mind to. He always strived for excellence and generously shared his lessons. He was an avid jazz and music lover, an artist with exquisite woodworking skills and highly professional house builder.

Ward had a passion for life and was devoted to his family. He had an unorthodox sense of humor, which was enjoyed by all. He was an enthusiastic baseball coach for local youth organizations, and was an active board member of Marymount School while his children Suvi and Alexi attended. Ward was an outstanding husband and father. He was a very generous friend and companion who was very much loved and will always be cherished and remembered for his integrity and unconditional love.

He is survived and deeply missed by his wife Kikka, daughter Suvi, son Alexi, his wife Jessica. Brothers; Brooks, David and sister Neville and their families; families and friends in Finland and many other parts of the globe.

The Bayly family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of Serenity House for their utmost loving and professional care of Ward during his last weeks of life. Thank You.

Also thank you to the dedicated staff at Cancer Center of Santa Barbara.

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