BAKER, Walter Ronald “Wally Sr.” Baker

He was born in Mimico (Toronto), Ontario, on May 22, 1935, the second child of Lily (née McQueen) Baker, a homemaker, and Walter Colin Baker, an Ontario Hydro Technician.

Walter attended elementary school in Toronto, and high school in Guelph, Ontario. He trained as a mechanic, and then was hired as a driver salesman by Humpty Dumpty Snack Foods. He remained at Humpty Dumpty for over 30 years, advancing to Senior Sales Manager, responsible for a large territory in Toronto and westwards.

In 1958, he married Lorraine Deacon; together they had five children. They separated and divorced in 1980. He then married Elsie Patola Ste. Marie, who had two daughters, France and Manon. Walter retired from Humpty Dumpty and he and Elsie developed a condominium management business, EP Property Management, eventually managing 10 condominium complexes.  They moved to Richmond Hill, Ontario. Elsie died in May 1996. In December, Walter successfully underwent quadruple bypass surgery, and he then sold the business.

In 1999, he met Patricia Giannelia, a Lutheran Pastor; they were married in May 2000. Walter started a new condominium management company, Domus Property Management, managing three Richmond Hill properties, which he kept until deciding to move to Kelowna, British Columbia in June 2005.  Walter again went back to work, this time for the Kelowna Commissionaires, where he remained until finally retiring in 2014.

Walter had volunteered with the St. John Ambulance in Toronto and York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill. In Kelowna, he volunteered at Kelowna General Hospital and the Kelowna Airport Ambassadors. He was an active member of St Paul Lutheran Church in Richmond Hill, and Christ and Faith Lutheran Churches in Kelowna.

Wally was an excellent card player, always open to a game of Euchre or Canasta.  He was an avid Toronto Argonaut fan, cheering them on in many a Grey Cup in various parts of Canada.  He was also a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, living in hope year after year, having been old enough to enjoy their last Stanley Cup win in 1967.  He routinely read two newspapers and kept up with current events, enjoying many discussions on a wide range of topics.  He enjoyed travel, visiting Hong Kong, England, China, Mexico, New Zealand, Austria, Czechia, Zanzibar and Kenya, as well as many parts of Canada, including Yukon and Northwest Territories.

In December 2015, he was diagnosed with advanced heart disease. He made the decision to adopt a Whole Food Plant Based way of eating, which improved his health immeasurably. Coupled with a gentle daily exercise routine, this allowed him to enjoy many more years of good health, including surviving more than a few spectacular falls. Sadly, two falls in August and November precipitated a significant health decline, and a transition into palliative care at KGH. Walter died peacefully in the early morning of December 28, 2025, with family by his side.

Wally was loving and caring, with an active curiosity, a ready wit and a great sense of humour. He could also be very determined and adamant on some issues. He was occasionally partial to his Heineken 0.0 and a good rum and Coke, enjoyed in the company of friends and family. Wally was liked and respected by many, and will be very much missed by all who knew him.

Walter was predeceased by his (baby) brother Colin; parents Lily and Walter; grandsons Wally Baker Jr. and Jason Jennings; and children, Laura Lordi and Wally Baker.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Patricia Giannelia; sister, Jean Harrison; children Gene (Lisa McNee Baker), Leslie Klett (Gunter) and D’Arcy (Wendy); step-daughters France and Manon Ste Marie; grandchildren Ab Baker (Amanda), Ivy Ausmus (Darcy), Jeremy McNee-Baker (Sarah White), Joey McNee-Baker (Rhianna Paul), Liam McNee-Baker, Lynette Jennings, Drew Jennings (Apryl), Alexander Klett (Kim); and great-grandchildren Max and Jett Baker, Jace, Cooper, and Karlee Ausmus, Emily, Rosie and John Baker, Kobe Osmond, Ava Adcock, Abrielle Lily, Jack D’Arcy, Mac Henry, and Tommy Walker Jennings; niece Denise Burke (Bill); and nephew Blane Harrison (Dawn) and families.

A Memorial Celebration will be held in late spring 2026, date and time to be announced.

Memorial Donations may be made to BC and Alberta Guide Dogs or to Faith Lutheran Church, 250 Gibbs Road, Kelowna, BC.