Obituary of John Hilmur Baker

It is with sadness the family of John Hilmur Baker announce his passing on October 31, 2017 at St. Paul’s Hospital. John Hilmur Baker was born in Saskatoon on June 11, 1945 and grew up in the Bergheim district where he developed a close bond with his Aunts and Uncles. During his growing up years John and his family moved around quite frequently until at the age of 9 the family packed up and moved to New Zealand. Some of you may have heard the story (John loved to tell this one) of how they piled into the old car, in the middle of December, and started for San Francisco to catch the boat. His mother Wilhemina (Dinter) and him huddled in the back seat because the car had no heater. Then they get to the California mountains. The roads didn’t seem bad but down there they insisted cars have chains in order to get over the mountains, so they had to locate some chains. His dad Neville thought this was ridiculous, having driven in Canadian winters without them, but they found some & proceeded to their destination. In 1963, John returned to Canada and while working with Pioneer Grain elevators met his wife-to-be, Doreen Boisvert. They married in 1973 and were eventually blessed with children, Ryan and Michelle to whom John was devoted. They have fond memories of going berry or bottle picking and staying up late to play games on the Nintendo together. Besides working in construction John also worked at Jordan & St. Michelle Cellars, Realty World #7, J.K. Steele and finally finishing his work career with 20 years at Saskatoon Funeral Home. John was such a caring & compassionate person. People seemed to be able to come to him and “unload” – he had the patience to listen and offered advice if they wanted some. Never one to shy away from “telling things like they were” he did sometimes get himself into hot water though for being too blunt. John was also very friendly and it was his sense of humor that endeared him to many. It was not unlike him to strike up a conversation with complete strangers or to share his cigarettes with some of the less fortunate people on 20th Street. John had a strong faith and he served wherever he could on Church committees. The most important things to John were his family, his Church and his garden. Left to cherish his memory are: his wife Doreen; son Ryan, daughter Michelle (Cliff); sisters Zoe and Leah; Aunts Polly Bullen and Bert (Fred) Johb; Uncle Bill Dinter (Bernice); numerous cousins, 3 nieces,1 nephew and his mother-in-law Olive Boisvert. John lived simply, loved many and is loved by many in return. I just know that John is up there in heaven making wisecracks and a bunch of new friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation (1702 20th Street West, Saskatoon, SK.S7M 0Z9).