Hundreds of people attended the funeral last week of the 2010 Hills Senior Citizen of the Year, Ross Baker.
The Castle Hill resident was awarded the pretigious title by Hills Shire Council during this year’s Australia Day Celebrations.
Mr Baker, 65, died in Westmead Hospital on August 25 after a long battle with cancer with his wife Carol and family by his side.
A Castle Hill resident for 30 years, he threw himself into community work.
The father of three was best known for his tireless work for many years on the Orange Blossom Festival committee and with the Friends of Bella Vista Farm but his community involvement spanned decades.
He joined Castle Hill Apex in 1976, was chairman and treasuer of the Cattai State Recreation Area for 10 years and was then trustee and treasuer of the Bicentennial Park at Homebush Bay.
He joined the Shire’s Orange Blossom Festival board in 2000 on his retirement and was elected chairman.
He was then made chairman of the Balcombe Heights 355 Management Committee and was a board member of the Castle Hill Show Society.
He showed Welsh ponies at the show over the years and took out a reserve champion ribbon at this year’s show.
His big love was the restoration of historic Bella Vista Farm where as chairman of The Friends of Bella Vista Farm and a member of the management committee he helped oversee the transformation of the ruined farmhouse into a real gem.
In July, Hills Shire Mayor Peter Dimbrowsky hosted a special celebration of Ross Baker’s life.
He told the Times: “Ross made a huge contribution to the community. He will be sorely missed.”
Mrs Baker said her husband of 42 years, had been humbled by the tribute night which was attened by more than 60 people from all aspects of his life.
He was first diagnosed with cancer in October 2008 after a skin specialist checked out a weeping mole on his ankle.
He had several operations over the next two years but the aggressive cancer returned.
He leaves behind children Scott, Julie and Karen and grandchildren Kent, Madison, Milla, Dylan, Lachlan and Harrison.
Source: whereilive
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