LCol Clifford Roy Baker

Sept. 14, 1920 – Apr. 27, 2014

We are saddened to announce that Clifford, age 93, passed away on Sunday, April 27 at the Niagara Hospice in St Catharines Ontario. He is the son of Grace (Newman) and Roy Baker of St Catharines. He attended St Catharines Collegiate and then Queens University (Civil Engineering) from 1939 to 1941. In 1941 he joined the 10th Reserve Field Battery and was commissioned and sent overseas in 1942.

Predeceased by his wife Eleanor (Norah Schroder) in 2002. Cliff is survived by brother Charles of Richmond Va, his son Richard (Angela) of St Catharines; daughter, Susan Hansen (Norbert) of Luxembourg; grandchildren Chris and Simon Baker, Cary (Michel) Feider; and Audrey (Yves) Mischo, four great-grandchildren and two nephews.

In 1944 Lt Baker landed in Normandy with 5 Bty, 5 Field Regiment RCA. He served as Troop Commander in the advance through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. As a result of his decisive and valiant actions in the Hochwald Forest, Germany, in March of 1945 he was awarded the Military Cross. Cliff met Norah while in England in 1943, and they were married there in September 1944. He returned to Canada in 1945 with Norah and small son Richard and was then discharged.

After a spell with Ford Motor Company he returned to the army in 1948. As Captain he served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the War Office, London UK and again In Ottawa. While in England he attended the Royal Military College of Science. He subsequently served in Washington D.C., Ottawa, Kingston (Canadian Army Staff College), and Winnipeg (2 RCHA, B Battery Commander). In 1962 he served in Korea with the Panmunjon Armistice Commission and as Liaison to the Korean Army. In 1964 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and seconded to the Space Research Institute at McGill University. In 1967 he joined NATO Headquarters in Paris and later in Brussels. He retired from the Army in 1971 and from the Privy Council Office in 1975.

From 1976 to 1987 he and Norah resided in Bonita Springs Florida. They returned to St Catharines in 1987 and Cliff pursued his many interests, including the Royal Niagara Military Institute, St Catharines Historical Society, St Catharines Museum and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Cliff enjoyed playing golf, and was a long time member of the Dalhousie Yacht Club. He and Norah spent many holidays visiting Europe.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the HULSE & ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL; 75 Church St. (905-684-6346). A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 33 Queenston St. (905-684-6421). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to either Hospice Niagara or the St. Catharines Artillery Foundation would be appreciated by the family. On-line tributes may be made at www.hulseandenglish.com.