The family of James Robert Laird announce his passing on January 31, 2018 at the Dr. V.A. Snow Centre in Hampton. Jimmy was born on the Isle of Burray in the Orkney Islands in 1929 and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1931. The 4th of 11 children, the Lairds grew up in New Jerusalem where Jimmy made lifelong friends and met his future wife. As a young man, Jimmy enjoyed working in the woods and driving teams. He later worked on the government bridge crew before he and Ruby were married and started Laird Construction in 1959. As Hampton grew, so did Laird Construction, doing the ground work for the Hampton golf course, schools, Dr. V.A. Snow Centre and many homes and roads in the area, as well as snow ploughing and well drilling. Jimmy was humble, hardworking and worked to better the community and his family. He could be tough, but was generous. He enjoyed fishing and visiting Jerusalem; and in retirement, Jimmy was a regular at the Kozy Korner. Jimmy enjoyed travelling and went back to Scotland 5 times.‎ Jimmy is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruby (Beckett) and his 6 children: Susan (Joseph) Simmons, Bermuda; Brenda (Dave) Perras, Ottawa; Bradley James, Hampton; Dianne (Andrew London), Hampton; Scott, Alberta; and Melanie, Fredericton; and 10 grandchildren: Laird, Beckett, Lilyanna, Serena, Gloria and Machum Simmons; Liam, Adam and Rachelle Perras; and Laurissa (Anders) Lundholm, and special sister-in-law Evelyn Anderson. Jimmy is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers in law: Mary Laird (George), Mary Laird (Donnie), Doreen Laird, Margaret Laird, Betty Laird, Dwaine Spicer and Ariel Laird. Jimmy is the last of the Lairds. He is predeceased by his 10 siblings: George, Margaret Boyle; Betty Oliver, Donnie, Loretta Shannon, Balfour, Windsor, Alistair, Mary Spicer, and Bobby. Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Home (506-832-5541), 1063 Main Street, Hampton, NB, where visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2:00PM from the Bloomfield Baptist Church. A private family interment will take place at Hampton Rural Cemetery in the spring. Donations in memory of Jimmy may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, NB Heart and Stroke or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through ReidsFH.com