Businessman.
Born at Brandon on 22 July 1923 to Anne Maluga (1896-1981) and William Wasyl Baron (1896-1963), he grew up at Dauphin. During the Second World War, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as a pilot, but served instead as a chef in Quebec. In 1947, he married Irene Ada Beyette (1923-2009) and they moved to Winnipeg, where they raised their daughter and spent the rest of their lives.
He worked for CN Rail for 45 years as Service Manager in the Dining Car. During that time, he also entered into the care-home business, together with his wife. In 1954, they opened the Baron Nursing Home, then went on to open the Arcadia Nursing Home; together they built the Maples Personal Care Home, River East Personal Care Home, Baron Estates, and finally, the Irene Baron Eden Center. Not only a builder of care homes, he was a pioneer for seniors care in Winnipeg, and although lamenting sometimes that his hands were tied when it came to fulfilling some of the dreams he had for improving the system, he focused on creating facilities that had the best amenities and care, and a loving and warm atmosphere. In 2003, the Michael and Irene Baron Foundation was established, a private organization raising funds for the support and care of elders with dementia and dementia-related illnesses, enhancing their quality of life through compassionate services.
A lover of animals, he always had a dog at his side. He enjoyed hobbies, such as sailing and canine training, and pursued his interest in aviation by spending time with the flight training module in his garage. He was an avid ornithologist and looked forward every year to the return of the purple martins to his backyard bird houses.
He died at the Irene Baron Eden Centre at Winnipeg on 14 June 2012.
Birth registration [Michael Baron], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 19 June 2012.
“Michael Baron,” Musey/Mischuk/Lucas/Vrabec Family Tree, Ancestry.
Michael and Irene Baron Foundation, Charitable Impact.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 9 January 2026
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