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Baker, Terry Neil

(January 9th, 2023)

With love and sorrow, we say goodbye to Terry Neil Baker.

Terry was born on April 4,1947 in Saskatoon and passed away suddenly on January 9, 2023 in Nelson, BC. He had an idyllic prairie boyhood surrounded by doting grandparents, loving parents his favourite (and, coincidentally, only) sister Bonnie and a large extended community. Winters were spent in Totnes, Saskatchewan, where his mother taught school and summers on the family farm near Kyle. He attended high school in Eston, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Kathrynn (Kathy) Grimes.

The year 1969 was momentous: he married Kathy and earned his wings as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Air), launching both a wonderful family and a flying career that spanned 45 years. His twenty-year military career included postings in Shearwater, Nova Scotia, where daughter Kimberley was born; Ottawa, Ontario, where the family grew to include son Neil; Lahr, Germany; Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Trenton Ontario; and Bracknell, England, ending in Ottawa in 1989. Civilian life then began in Waterloo ON. Terry moved into commercial flying in 1990 and finished his career instructing on Airbus 330 aircraft in Asia. Terry saw most of the world. He flew multitude different aircraft types, met a fascinating variety of people, and developed lifelong friendships with his colleagues.

Retirement completed his final dream of living on the lakefront property in Nelson BC where he had spent many happy summers with his grandparents. Together he and Kathy built a beautiful home and yard, of which he was justly proud. Terry had many talents and interests. He spent hours working on the Longbeach water system, skiied the powder at Whitewater, enjoyed summer days on the beach with family and friends, polished his beloved ‘53 Merc truck, golfed, read and lived life to the fullest.

Terry’s career was his passion, his family was his love. Family included Kim’s husband, Simon Corti, and Neil’s wife, Ceri Smith. With Simon came grandsons Ethan and Tyson (Bailey and Colter) and together Kim and Simon increased the grandson count to four, with Devin and Kohen. Absolutely nothing made Terry happier than time with his family and his pride in them was evident. Terry was predeceased by his parents Mae and Gordon Baker, his in-laws Joe and Aurelia Grimes and brothers-in-law Garry and Marvin. He will be deeply missed by Kathy, his children and grandchildren, sister Bonnie Perrett (Tim), sisters-in-law Carolynn Drabble, Joanne Nagel, Tamara Buckwold (Bruce), many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

A memorial service will be held at Nelson United Church on Monday Jan 23, 2023 at 1:30pm with reception to follow in the church hall. In memory of Terry, donations can be made to the Nelson Community Food Centre.

The family would like to thank 911 Emergency Dispatch, the Balfour Harrop Fire Rescue, BC Emergency Health Services, the RCMP and the BC Coroners Services for their professionalism, respect and compassion during this difficult time.

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