Obituary of Lyle Gordon Baker

BAKER: Lyle Gordon. It is with deep sadness that his family announces the passing of Lyle Baker on July 4, 2015 at the age of 79. Lyle will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Nancy Stanley, sons Jonathan (Christine) and Christopher (Tanya), and grandsons Austin and Elliot. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Donna, nephew Craig (Danielle) and sons Benjamin and Matthew, and niece Karen. He was predeceased by his younger brothers Garth (2007) and Dale (2014). Lyle was born in Brandon, MB on August 2, 1935, to Cecil and Julia (née Cousins) Baker. He grew up on the Manor Farm south of Brandon, attending both Gorrie School and Brandon Collegiate. In 1955, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Diploma in Agriculture. Lyle then purchased land south of the Brandon Hills where he spent his summers farming with his brother Garth. His winters were spent working for the Manitoba government as a welding instructor in communities all over the province. Lyle married his long-time partner Nancy Stanley in 1978, and together they raised their two sons while farming grain, cattle, and horses. In 1980, after more than 20 years as an instructor on the road, Lyle was hired by Assiniboine Community College and continued instructing until his retirement in 2008. Lyle was known and respected by many for lending his vast knowledge of welding to successive generations of Manitobans. Lyle was a jack of all trades, whose skills ranged from flying aircraft to using explosives. He was a proponent of recycling long before it became fashionable, salvaging discarded materials for future projects and refurbishing broken machinery. During his 60 plus years of welding, Lyle invented and manufactured numerous pieces of equipment for his own use and for neighbours throughout the Brandon Hills district. He was an avid reader, WWII history buff, and gun collector. Fond of water skiing, softball, broomball and attending dances in his early years, in his later years Lyle took pleasure in listening to music on his old reel-to-reels and watching his grandsons play. Lyle was a stoic and gentle soul, with a quiet smile and a sense of humility that always put others at ease. His reflective nature served as a source of wisdom for family and friends, and his soft-spoken leadership style served as an example and source of inspiration to everyone he encountered. At Lyle's request, his ashes will be interred at a private family service on his farm south of the Brandon Hills in the soil that he tilled for so many years. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lyle may be made to the Diabetes Association, 200-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0S6, or the charity of your choice.