Frank M. Baird died peacefully on July 4 at his home after waging a lengthy battle with brain cancer. His family was at his side. He was 70.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1947. He was the husband of Ann Donnelly Baird, formerly of Rhode Island. He was the son of the late Arthur F. and Vianna R. (Perry) Baird.

Frank grew up in Oak Bluffs, the second of eight children. He shared many wonderful stories of growing up on Norris avenue back in the day when houses were sparse and the woods were abundant. The family moved down to the corner of Circuit and South Circuit avenues, where Frank spent his teenage years and beyond. He attended the Oak Bluffs Elementary School and Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, class of 1966.

He went into the Army in March 1967. While there he was trained as a helicopter mechanic and eventually went to Vietnam to work on helicopters. He excelled at his job and gained a reputation as the man you wanted to work on your helicopter. He was given many awards and citations for his work. When it was time to leave in March 1969 he had job offers from Boeing and other prominent West Coast aircraft companies. However, he put all that behind him and returned home to Oak Bluffs. Almost immediately he started working with his brother Tim for Berube Electric. A few years later Tim, Sheila and Frank took over the company and continued to work together for close to 50 years.

Frank was known as a brilliant electrician and was well respected among his colleagues. He liked a challenge and was great at figuring things out. He had many interests. He was an avid reader, from how-to books to biographies, travel and history books. His favorite book was The Bible, which he knew front to back and inside and out. He was a member and trustee of the Duxbury Free Christian Society. He attended meetings twice a year with his son Mark and other family members. All of his children spent time going to Duxbury with Frank while growing up.

Frank and Ann married in 1981 and had their children throughout the 1980s. During this time they renovated the barn on South Circuit avenue into their family home.

Frank was spiritual, a man of truth who had strong convictions and never worried about what others thought of him. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful laugh. He was a kind man who cared about people in need. He was a true Islander who still picked up hitchhikers. Most importantly he was a family man who loved his children, grandchildren and extended family.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his daughters, Natasha Shultz of West Tisbury and Sara Baird LaBelle and her husband, Rob of Torrington, Conn.; his sons, Mark Baird of Oak Bluffs, James Baird and his wife, Emily of Vineyard Haven, and Michael Baird of Oak Bluffs; his grandchildren, Lawrence LaBelle and Vianna Belle Baird; his brothers Timothy Baird and his wife, Sheila, of Edgartown, John Baird of Boston, and Stephen Baird and his wife, Vicky, of Florida; his sisters, Jean Baird of China, Faye Macy and her husband Jim of Oak Bluffs, and Barbara Fortes and her husband, Alan, of Vineyard Haven. Frank was predeceased by his brother Richard (Rick) Baird.

He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 14 at 11 a.m. at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Cemetery on Vineyard avenue in Oak Bluffs with military honors provided by the Veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. All are welcome to a reception afterwards at the PA Club on Vineyard avenue in Oak Bluffs. Please bring a dish to share.

Donations in Frank’s memory can be made to Vineyard Independent Partnership (supporting adults with disabilities), P.O. Box 1204, West Tisbury, MA 02575, Island Elderly Housing, Inc., Quality of Life Programs, 60B Village Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568, or a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, ccgfuneralhome.com.