Baird Aram Barsumian, 71, of Dennis Port, Mass., passed unexpectedly on May 19, 2026. He was a cherished grandpa, “Beeta,” dad, uncle, brother and friend who loved with a love that was bigger than life itself.
Baird was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on February 15, 1955 to Garabed “Gary” Barsumian and JoAnne Osborne Barsumian. As a young child, his family moved to Monroe, Conn., where Baird grew up with his sister, Lisa. Baird married his high school sweetheart Jo-Ann and together they moved to Vermont and settled in Rutland, where he lived for most of his young adult life.
Baird was a creative man of many hobbies and jobs: an artist, a talented singer and songwriter, a chess player, a guitar player and teacher, a happy-go-lucky guy, a painter of rocks, a milkman and a mailman, a lover of horses, and always the loudest and biggest presence in any room.
After many years in Rutland, Vt., Baird found his way to Cape Cod. He loved the ocean, Cape Cod Baseball League games, and his turtle, Teddi.
Baird’s greatest pride in life used to be his children, Aram and Rose, and their spouses. That all changed when his three granddaughters were born. Baird loved his precious grandgirls with all his heart and was forever beaming at their accomplishments whether it be learning how to smile, taking their first steps, budding into little artists, saying “I love you” for the first time, or scoring goals in soccer.
Baird was affectionately named “Beeta” by his first granddaughter and it was a name he held with such gratitude and love. He was the kind of grandpa who would get on the ground and play with the girls, truly paying attention to them and living in whatever world their imagination could dream up. He was fascinated by everything they did, and loved nothing more than having conversations with them and singing with them, even before their speech was understandable.
Baird never missed an opportunity to tell his family how proud he was of them and how honored he felt to be part of it all. He made his grandgirls and his children feel so loved, so special, and so important — and with the help of the beautiful memories we shared with our dad, grandpa and Beeta … his children and his granddaughters will carry his love in their hearts forever.
Baird is survived by his two children, who will miss him endlessly — his son Aram “AramBob” Barsumian and his wife Margaret “Margarooni” of St. Albans, Vt., and his daughter Rose “RoseBud” Barsumian Vella and her husband Joe “Joe” of Uxbridge, Mass.
He also leaves behind his three granddaughters, Madison, Calia and Phoebe, who are finding little glimpses of him in the toads, birds, and rainbows we have seen since he left us. Baird is also survived by his sister, Lisa Barsumian and husband Tom Farrell of Jamestown, R.I., and their children, Baird’s nephews, James and Aiden of Brooklyn, N.Y. In addition, Baird leaves many longtime friends.
To know Baird was to love him — his joyful demeanor, his welcoming smile, and his bright blue eyes. He was always one to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, always leaving the stranger better off having spoken to him.
Baird was predeceased by his dad, his mom and an infant sister, Marin.
A celebration of life for Baird will be planned for a future date. Donations in Baird’s honor can be made to the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St., Harwich, MA 02645, where Baird was on a two-year winning streak in the annual talent show, and the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (291 US-6, South Wellfleet, MA 02663) where turtles roam free.
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