LARSO Board Treasurer John Baillie receiving an award from the New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department (now New Mexico Aging Services), during a statewide meeting in 2022. Courtesy photo

LARSO Board Treasurer John Baillie, left, at the first COVID-19 drive-thru clinic held for residents aged 74 and older at Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center. Nambe Pharmacy staff and Los Alamos Visiting Nurses personnel participate in the event. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

This month, I have been retired from the local senior centers for two years. Oh, it is amazing if you are on the fence about retiring. This week, I’d like to make a final reference to my time spent in service to the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO). Why now?

You see my final original board member is set to finish his service from the Board of Directors. This opportunity Can Not pass without a rave-up, a red-letter day, a junket, jollification, merry making, please feel free to insert your favorite British term here.

While he has obtained no official title from The Crown, I have elected to take this moment to herald Mister John Baillie. Baillie has gone beyond the call of duty as a volunteer for a variety of organizations. The two selected for today are The Betty Ehart and White Rock Senior Activity  Centers. I shall list the “temporary titles” and other British terms in italics for enhanced hilarity on this occasion or when you need to look up a term.

I start by shouting the word Bagsy to claim the title of attempting to cause him a moment of leaving him Gob Smacked. It is my sincere hope that someone will refer to him with any of the terms in this column in the future.

Baillie has served on the board for four directors, bringing sanity and clever fun to the fold. He has served most recently as treasurer, which is so much more than signing checks, it would take too long to explain. He has his pulse on the finances of the senior centers and makes sure they maintain the rules.

During my time, he was the Duke of Decision Making for suggestions like having an employee of the month. He was the Marquess of Merriment, always like attending our New Year’s Eve celebration for years, including when one of our members was close to turning 100. He was the Count of Compassion during COVID when he visited people in assisted living, despite rules permitting visits through a window with masks. He was always the Viscount of Vitality with boundless energy when we conducted hundreds of COVID-19 shots in a drive-thru situation over an entire weekend and more than once.

He just may be the Earl of Everything, and did I mention that he is also a senior citizen? Okay, so that term includes anyone 55 and above, but I digress. John Baillie and Bob Swift were the reasons why I came to the senior center and the reason I stayed for four years. They made every day one to look forward to, even in the darkest days of COVID. The community has lost Dan Judge, Don Gerheart and Tom McLaughlin, who supported our efforts, lifted our spirits, and gave us a chuckle.

So, Mister Baillie, thank you for your service, your humor, kindness, compassion, and for being a Blissful, Benevolent Bloke along the way. I think I speak for everyone when I say your community, and I am sure Betty Ehart is grateful for your work ethic to make her dream continue.

OK, not everyone, but many, many people. I bet your Mum and Dad would be proud. Consider this, I am proud to know you and call you Mate.

LARSO Board Treasurer John Baillie, with Karen Breault, left, and Amy Vigil, gathered for the arrival of a new handmade table at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center, followed by an unofficial meeting held to honor Baillie, including an agenda reflecting a ‘John Baillie is Awesome’ theme. Courtesy photo