Obituary for Robert Joseph Baker
It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Robert J. Baker, a power engineer and former Program Coordinator at Cambrian College on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019. He was 57 years old.
He was the beloved husband of Mary Grace (Moga) Baker of Sudbury. Loving father of Alexander of Sudbury. Dear son of Michael (predeceased) and Helen Baker of Elliott Lake. Survived by his brother Eric (Donna) in Belleville and sister Cathy Martinook (David) in Petawawa. Sadly, missed by Mary Grace’s family, the Moga family: Michael (predeceased) (Natalie), Barb Sardone (Mauro), Pat Best (Tino), Peter Best (Liz), Mark Moga (Shirley) and Tina Stephenson (Don). Remembered by nieces and nephews Kaitlyn, James, Sarah, Natalie, David, Jonathan, Stephanie, Andrew, Laura, Avery, Amy, Andy, Wesley, Sara and William.
Robert was born in Toronto on September 17th, 1961, the second son of Michael and Helen Baker. He moved shortly after to Belleville, joining a community of 1st and 2nd generation German-descent immigrants that had left Europe after World War II. He attended Bayside for elementary and secondary with his brother and sister, playing in rock bands with his friends and preferring English class, art class and cars.
After working out west with his brother Eric, he moved back to downtown Toronto and started working at the Chelsea Hotel, meeting many famous musicians and entertainers as they checked-in. He also met his future wife Mary Grace as they worked side-by-side together at the hotel and fell in love. They were married in October 1984 and had one son, Alexander in 1985. They spent a few years in North Bay before moving to Sudbury. He eventually studied Power Engineering at Cambrian College, and a few years later, started working as a professor and program coordinator in the same program.
The program grew exponentially in those years. Robert had an inspiring combination of gifts: he was confident and curious as a technician, compelling as a speaker, and an impressive and assiduous organizer. Most of all, he cherished connecting with students, challenging them to grow as young women and men and nurturing their confidence as future engineers.
After a brief but serious illness, Robert passed away with loved ones at his side. His third-floor hospital bedroom had many windows looking out onto Lily Creek. We couldn’t help but notice, the sky was clear and blue like his eyes, and the sun bright, warm, and tall.
Friends and family may gather at the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch Street, Sudbury on Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, with words of remembrance at 2:30 pm. Cremation at the Park Lawn Crematorium to follow.
Thank you for celebrating his life with us.
We love him dearly and will miss him so much.
He was the beloved husband of Mary Grace (Moga) Baker of Sudbury. Loving father of Alexander of Sudbury. Dear son of Michael (predeceased) and Helen Baker of Elliott Lake. Survived by his brother Eric (Donna) in Belleville and sister Cathy Martinook (David) in Petawawa. Sadly, missed by Mary Grace’s family, the Moga family: Michael (predeceased) (Natalie), Barb Sardone (Mauro), Pat Best (Tino), Peter Best (Liz), Mark Moga (Shirley) and Tina Stephenson (Don). Remembered by nieces and nephews Kaitlyn, James, Sarah, Natalie, David, Jonathan, Stephanie, Andrew, Laura, Avery, Amy, Andy, Wesley, Sara and William.
Robert was born in Toronto on September 17th, 1961, the second son of Michael and Helen Baker. He moved shortly after to Belleville, joining a community of 1st and 2nd generation German-descent immigrants that had left Europe after World War II. He attended Bayside for elementary and secondary with his brother and sister, playing in rock bands with his friends and preferring English class, art class and cars.
After working out west with his brother Eric, he moved back to downtown Toronto and started working at the Chelsea Hotel, meeting many famous musicians and entertainers as they checked-in. He also met his future wife Mary Grace as they worked side-by-side together at the hotel and fell in love. They were married in October 1984 and had one son, Alexander in 1985. They spent a few years in North Bay before moving to Sudbury. He eventually studied Power Engineering at Cambrian College, and a few years later, started working as a professor and program coordinator in the same program.
The program grew exponentially in those years. Robert had an inspiring combination of gifts: he was confident and curious as a technician, compelling as a speaker, and an impressive and assiduous organizer. Most of all, he cherished connecting with students, challenging them to grow as young women and men and nurturing their confidence as future engineers.
After a brief but serious illness, Robert passed away with loved ones at his side. His third-floor hospital bedroom had many windows looking out onto Lily Creek. We couldn’t help but notice, the sky was clear and blue like his eyes, and the sun bright, warm, and tall.
Friends and family may gather at the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch Street, Sudbury on Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, with words of remembrance at 2:30 pm. Cremation at the Park Lawn Crematorium to follow.
Thank you for celebrating his life with us.
We love him dearly and will miss him so much.