DONALD HENRY CLINTON BAKER

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DONALD HENRY CLINTON BAKER On the July 5, 2005 Donald Baker of Winnipeg, MB passed suddenly. Donald the eldest of four children was born March 5, 1927 in Morden, MB and was predeceased by his mother Violet Ann Baker (nee Hopkins); father Thomas Elgin Baker; stepmother Isobel Baker (nee McKay); sisters, Joyce Granger and Pearl Sarrasin; and his loving wife of 51 years Bernice Mae Baker (nee Last). As a 17 year old facing the death of his mother (December 26, 1944) placed added responsibilities upon dad, this young boy quickly matured into a young man. Helping raise his two sisters and younger brother, on top of working long hard days on the farm were common to dad. Born the eldest, dad always accepted added responsibilities and challenges, never sidestepping them. In August of 1953 he married his sweetheart Bernice Last, a young career motivated schoolteacher from Homewood, MB. Just one month later dad was stricken by polio, this was a time that dad never forgot, because through mom and her commitment to nurse dad back to health she had to decline a teaching position in order to remain and care for dad, exercising his right side and taking a job doing chores as a farm hand. As dad's health improved enough of his strength returned and he was once again able to sit and drive a tractor for Weidman's at Starbuck, MB. This is always something dad never forgot since at the time of the polio epidemic many wives left their husbands and vice-versa. Times were hard enough to look after one person, let alone two people. Dad worked underground, coal mining in Canmore, AB and then went to an open pit mine in Atikokan, ON where they mined iron and then after being married worked on bridge construction throughout Manitoba and was on the crew that built the Natural Gas Pipeline distribution into Winnipeg at the City Gate . In 1958 dad and mom moved into Winnipeg where he was able to apply all the mechanical knowledge that he had gained. Good with his hands and solid understanding of anything mechanical was dad's ticket to independence and a career in the HVACR/P Industry. He began working for Siemen's Plumbing and Heating where he worked for one year until Red River Co-op took over the heating department. He worked there until 1970 when he and partner Lou Steenssens started Custom Vac Limited. Within the next few years Donald became full owner along with Bernice as partner and for 25 years they successfully ran one of the best HVACR companies in Manitoba. A testament of their desire and willingness to satisfy customers was displayed by the number of companies that approached them to take over their companies when they were retiring and looking for a good company to take care of their customer base. Brian and Denise Baker took over in 1995 and to date many of the original customers and their families are still being served with the same level of service. Dad always enjoyed travelling to the country fairs, rodeos and tractor pulls, but most of all the times that he was able to spend at his cottage at Betula Lake, MB in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. These out of everything were the best times even if there were many hours spent simply in the seat of the boat driving water skiers. Many people will remember different things about dad but the most important thing that he will be remembered for is the generosity that he displayed throughout his life by letting many young people stay with him and mom when they had no place to stay or needed someone to care for them. No matter the reason they found his doorstep they knew that they would be unconditionally welcomed. Dad was also a prankster, loved to tell humourous stories and tease, laughter was never very far away when he was around. A good stiff drink with a little Pepsi was as much a trademark for dad, as was his 'cocked to the side' hat. These and many more memories will long be remembered by the many lives that he touched. A come and go memorial gathering will be held Sunday, July 17 between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the Canad Inns Transcona, 826 Regent Ave. with Brian Baker officiating. A light lunch with coffee, tea, juices, soft drinks, wine and hard liquor will be served. Join with the family and if moved to do so, say a few words in memory. Donald leaves to mourn three sons and one daughter, Brian (Denise) Baker, David (Bev) Baker, Clinton (Debbie) Baker and Patricia (Eugene) Henderson; 10 grandchildren, Melissa, Donald, Allison, Justin, and Brandon Baker; Matthew and Kaitlin Henderson; Cory, Melissa and Jennifer Martin. Donald also leaves to mourn his brother Jim (Doreen) Baker and brother-in-law Phil Sarrasin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Kidney Foundation of Canada (Manitoba Branch) or the Canadian Diabetes Association. When somebody dies, a cloud turns into an angel, and flies up to tell God to put another flower on a pillow. A bird gives the message back to the world, and sings a silent prayer that makes the rain cry. People disappear, but they never really go away. The spirits up there, put the sun to bed, wake up grass, and spin the earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you can see them dancing in a cloud during the daytime, when they're supposed to be sleeping. They paint the rainbows and also the sunsets and make waves splash and tug at the tide. They toss shooting stars and listen to wishes. And when they sing wind songs, they whisper to us, don't miss me too much. The view is nice and I'm doing just fine. - Ashley

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2005