AL BAKER: About 100 firefighters paid tribute to longtime volunteer firefighter and businessman.
Georgina
July 04, 2007 07:07 AM
Pefferlaw business owner and veteran volunteer firefighter Al Baker died June 27 at his home. He was 72.
About 100 firefighters in dress uniform from across the GTA attended a special visitation prior to the public visitation Friday at Forrest and Taylor Funeral Home in Sutton to remember their comrade. A family interment followed at Briar Hill Cemetery with his fellow firefighters serving as pallbearers.
A service celebrating Mr. Baker’s life was held Saturday and mourners packed Fair Havens Community Church near Beaverton, presided by Pastor Rob Elliott.
He was eulogized by Michael Davy and his niece, Kimberley Reid, sang Going Home.
Georgina Fire Chief Bill O’Neill remembered Mr. Baker as skillful firefighter and dedicated, reliable volunteer.
“He was a good firefighter,” Mr. O’Neill said.
“When he retired he was district chief in Pefferlaw. He was also a local businessman so he was there all the time. You could depend on him, as hard as it is to get volunteers out, he was always available.”
Mr. Baker was a volunteer for 32 years, becoming district chief in 1992. He retired in 2000.
Mr. Baker, who was married to his childhood sweetheart, Marie, for 52 years, purchased a grocery store in Pefferlaw in 1968 and owned furniture stores in Sutton on Dalton Road and Baseline Road in the 1970s.
He founded his highly respected solid wood manufacturing company Baker’s Furniture, in the early 1980s, starting in his garage before moving to its Pefferlaw Road location in 1988.
A devout Christian, Mr. Baker was known far and wide for his beautiful singing voice.
Mr. Baker leaves his wife, Marie (White), children, Dale and Jennifer Baker of Keswick, Vicki and Eric Cotton of Cannington, Rod and Cheryl Baker of Pefferlaw and grandchildren Jonathan, Jeremy and Joshua Baker, Jeff and Mike Cotton, Brandon, Brittney and Kaitlynn Baker, predeceased by David Cotton.
He was brother to Eileen Baker, Verna Snow and Marion Duncan.