Obituary of Norman Lyle Baker

NORMAN LYLE BAKER April 17, 1926 – April 11, 2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norman on Friday, April 11, 2014. He will be greeted in heaven by his mother Selma, his father Lincoln, his daughter Carol who died at birth, along with his brothers and sisters that have predeceased him. Left to cherish his memory, is the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Rose; his children Neil (Anne) of Denver, CO, and Darrell (Maureen) of Regina; grandchildren, Tim (Maria) Baker of Ottawa, ON, Doug (Jan) Thomson of San Diego, CA, James Thomson of Denver, CO, Kim (Dean) Mihalicz, of Denver, CO, Griff (Twyla Exner) Baker of Prince Albert, SK; great-grandchildren, Violet and Cohen Baker, Cole Thomson, Lily Thomson, and Zack and Zoe Mihalicz; a special niece Sandra Harmel; his brother Orville Baker of Vancouver, BC; along with many nieces and nephews. Norman grew up on a farm near Gray, SK. At 15, he moved to Regina to work helping his mother support his six younger siblings. Norman served in the Royal Canadian Navy, as an electrical technician, for two years during the WWII. He and Rose were married October 4, 1947. After Noman’s family, his first love was business. In 1957 he incorporated Bakers Electric Ltd. and built it into one of the most successful electrical contracting businesses in SK. Norman also established a very successful real estate development company. After “retirement” he invented a refrigerant recovery and recycling machine that he sold around the world. Norman was also Past-President of the Illuminating Engineers Society, the Past-President of the Electrical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan, and sat as a board member of the Regina Construction Association. Norman was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Construction Association Labour Relations Council and served as Chairman of the negotiating Committee of the Electrical Contractors Association. He was also a founding member and Chairman of the Association of Saskatchewan Taxpayers, and a founding member and Chairman of the board of the Canadian Taxpayers Association. Norman and Rose travelled the world with family and friends. Their travels took them to Europe, China, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. A Celebration of Norman’s Life will take place at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, 1701 Cowan Crescent, Regina, SK on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norman’s name to the charity of your choice. We would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Kuzmicz for her loving care over many years; to the caring staff of 5A at the Regina General Hospital and to his special caretakers for the last year Sara, Kelsey, Beth, Della, Talian, Kaitlyn, and Maria.