Obituary of William Joseph BAKER

September 21, 1928 – August 26, 2011 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. William (Bill) J. Baker. He is survived by his loving wife and companion of 21 years, Margaret Baker. He is also survived by his children Mary (Randy) Kozak, Patricia (Dale) Johnson, Danny Baker, and David (Virginia) Baker and his sister Virginia (Ginger) Johnson of New York; grandchildren, Joseph (Amanda) Kowal, Colleen McReavey, Kathleen Johnson, Sean (Jessica) Baker, Danielle (Daniel) Mantai, Leigh Johnson, Peter Kozak, Sam Johnson, Connor Baker, Michael Kozak, Liam Baker, Chance Baker, Declan Baker; great grand children, Christopher, Jackson, Delaney, Collin Kowal, Nicholas McReavey, Isabella Johnson; and step children, Michael (Stephanie, Oliver) Anderson, Matthew (Sheila, Kate, Holly) Anderson. In 1945, at 17 he enlisted in the USAF and served in Alaska and reenlisted for the Korean conflict. After military service he worked with his father as a longshoreman on the docks of N.Y. He attended St. John’s University, later attending Fordham where he attained a PhD in Psychology. Bill graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude and received the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Foundation award. After graduation, Bill worked for the Space Sciences Division of Grumman Aircraft where he worked as a Human Factors Engineer on the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module). He was integral in the design of the landing mechanism, helping the United States to put the very first man on the moon. From there he moved his family to Silver Springs Md., where he worked for the American Institute for Research. In 1970 he accepted a position at the University of Alberta, where he had a 20 year career as a professor, researcher and author. He taught at Concordia College from 1990 until his retirement. Bill and Margaret moved to Calgary in 1997, where Bill became active at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church. Bill’s passions in life included: his faith, playing the flute, skiing, photography, travel, and playing basketball and football. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (8944 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (address above). In living memory of Bill Baker a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200.