Obituary of Brian Francis Baker

BAKER, Brian F.,- Born September 9th, 1945, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009. He was the son of John and Frances Baker (deceased), brother to Lorraine (Barker) and Stan. Brian graduated from Dennis Morris High School and the GMI Institute in Flint, MI. Early on he worked for his father at Baker's Radiator Inc. in St. Catharines. He was later a partner in establishing Bugsy's Dining Lounge (1978 until 1987) and Tin Pan Alley (Lewiston, NY) and also held various hotel management positions. Brian was fundamentally involved in many worthwhile promotions for the benefit of the City of St. Catharines: a member of St. Catharines Municipal Council (holding 3 terms as Alderman of Port Dalhousie Ward 1983-1991); was past Director of St. Catharines Business Club; served on the Lincoln County Catholic Separate School Board of Trustees; was a member of the St. Catharines Transit Commission; and,was a member of the Community Vision Committee; was the co-founder of CARE-LINE and a generous supporter of Niagara Peninsula Children's Center Foundation. He was also a member of the Faculty of Niagara College in Business Development and Hotel Management (since 1996) teaching successful business strategies. He was an avid supporter and/or coach of minor hockey and baseball teams (i.e. Director of St. Catharines Minor Hockey Association; Director of the Jaycees). Brian was a devoted Chicago Blackhawks and Hamilton Tiger Cats fan. He will remain a chartered member of the BBB Team. His voice and great humour as a radio personality and broadcaster on the Oldies Show at CHSC, as well as being a disc jockey at the Castle, will be fondly remembered. More recently he was an Account Executive for Astral Media and his presence and strong personality will be missed. Brian is survived by his best friend and fianc�©e, Carol Blue; his beloved son, Kevin and daughter-in-law Julie; his 2 daughters Kim (Parrish) and Kelly (Brian) and their children Makenzie, Morgan, and Connor; Carol's children Christopher (Miranda and their son Damien), Matt (Emily) and Alicia Bowlby; and, his close friends in the Friday Night Gang as well as Anne Baker, mother of Brian's children. He was well loved and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and co-workers. He will be best remembered for his humour, passion, opinions, enthusiasm, and generosity. Brian is resting at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street. The family will receive visitors on Sunday from 2-4p.m. & 7-9p.m. A Funeral Service will take place on Monday at 11:30a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Rite of committal at Victoria Lawn Cemetery to follow. Memorial donations to Niagara Peninsula Children's Center Foundation would be appreciated by the family.