Brian Vernon Baker (18 Jun 1949 - 15 Mar 2016)

Brian you will be sadly missed by the 'Old Boys' but not forgotten.

Due to contractual employment obligations, and Lise's need for help after this week's cataract surgery, we could not travel from Western Canada to be present at today's funeral service in the Garden of England Crematorium. I offer the following poem, whose author is unknown in honour of Brian. I believe that he would have approved, as he saw himself as very much a part of Nature.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there;
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there;
I did not die.

Brian and I first met in 1967 when he joined the then GPO as an apprentice. I was an old lag by then having finished my apprenticeship a year earlier ! We worked together right through to 1977 when I moved to Ipswich to continue with what was by then British Telecom. Brian also moved around BT after that and our paths crossed regularly especially when Brian was working for the BT Exhibitions Unit. When he was working up in Suffolk we always found time for a chat about the families, a beer and a session on putting the world to rights. In those earlier years we also visited Brian & Rhona back in Rainham and they came to see us in Ipswich. We actually lived in the same road (Windermere Drive) in Rainham for a number of years so it was always nice to have a trip back down to see how the landscape was changing and on those visits Rhona and Kath often used to swap food recipes.
My one regret is that in the latter years we did not get to see each other so much, although we kept in touch via email and telephone.
In all the years I worked and socialised with Brian he was a perfect example of honesty, integrity, punctuality and full of amusing anecdotes especially of the time he spent working in India (again with BT). He was also incredibly proud and justifiably so of reaching the rank of Lt. Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve.
Brian will be sadly missed and our hearts go out to Aidan, Nina and their families.

In loving memory of a dear cousin who had a wonderful sense of humour and always made us laugh.

Sincere condolences to all the family.

I had the pleasure of working with Brian on the project to re-open Berengrave Nature Reserve. Without his support and determination to see this challenging but much loved site reborn it may have remained closed forever.

Not satisfied with re-opening the site, Brian led the Friends of Berengrave on a journey into securing its own grant funding to research and interpret the history of the reserve

I was fortunate in getting to spend several lunchtimes with Brian outside of work and whilst I lost contact with him with changing job and personal circumstances I will always remember him fondly.

Regards
Chris Valdus
Former Greenspace and Heritage Development Manager Medway Council

Brian was a dedicated and reliable RNR Officer with whom it was a orivilege to serve.

We came to know Brian through Aidan whilst we were with Gillingham Scouts. As Aidan progressed through the troop Brian became more involved with the activities and attended a number of weekend and summer camps as an occasional instructor. He was quite rightly proud of Aidan's achievements in scouting and saw it first hand. Brian enjoyed camp life and the outdoors. The boys enjoyed listening to Brian when he talked about nature and what there was to see. He would also spend a great deal of time setting up activities to spark their imaginations, not an easy task! Camps were fun and Brian enjoyed them.
He was an invaluable addition to the team and we enjoyed his company and conversations.
Our thoughts are with Aidan and Nina at this time.

Such sad news. Brian was a great champion of INM, the company I worked with for many years and did many events and projects for BT when Brian was with them. Although I had lost touch with him over the last years I still have great memories of the times we worked together and all the help and support he gave us. My thoughts and condolences go out to all his family and friends from up here in Scotland. God Bless from Lynn and Pete.

As did many in BT worked with Brian in the mid 90's on a lot of the major events - always great company with lots of tales, remember the good times, the beers and the laughter - couldn't ask for anything more.

In deepest sympathy - so sorry to hear this sad news. May he rest in peace.

I knew Brian during the years 2003 through to 2007.

Brian through that time was instrumental in the development of the Friends of Berengrave and was very much a mentor towards the re-opening of the Berengrave Local Nature Reserve, which marks a decade in the coming weeks.

Passionate about Berengrave, Brian spent many a day enjoying the reserves flora and fauna, attending volunteer activities and assisting in the supervsion of the walking trail project (boardwalk construction). His knowledge of the reserves history and its status as a conservation area was well regarded and of great interest.

As a silent member of the Friends of Berengrave and from across the miles I express my deepest sympathy to the extended family and close friends on the passing of Brian.

In sincere condolence, I shall miss Brian and will always remember him.

Kindest Regards,
Steven Brooks (ex Riverside Country Park Ranger)
Adelaide - South Australia

As Secretary and on behalf of the members of Friends of Berengrave - Brian was the first and long term Chairman of Friends of Berengrave. He was instrumental in obtaining a grant which was used to research the history of the site. Booklets on the history were also produced and circulated to all schools and libraries in the area. Brian arranged for seven notice boards to be erected, two of which are still in place. He also unearthed the Memorial, which is displayed in the Visitors' Centre at Riverside Country Park, to those men who died in WW1. He was our Web Manager and Newsletter producer. He will be sadly missed by all members of Friends of Berengrave.

We have fond memories of Brian, who we have known for about 15 years. Our daughter introduced us to him and Rhona on her graduation day and he later became her Father-in-Law. We regularly saw Brian and Rhona on family occasions and called to see them when visiting Kent.

Our love and thoughts are with Aidan & Nicky, Nina & Dave, Steven & Amy at this sad time. We will be attending the funeral and wake (or looking after the grandchildren) and have donated to charity.

So sorry to hear that Brian has passed away. My husband and I have fond memories of Brian. He gave his time generously to the local neighbourhood. We left Chalky Bank Road 8 years ago. Brian kindly stayed in touch by email. We shall be thinking of you on the day. Ex no.25