Nathan Baker (10 Oct 1987 - 28 Jan 2020)

Nathan was many things to many people. A father, a son, a grandson and friend.

To me he was my brother.
We spent a lot of time together as children and they are the memories that stick in my mind the most when I think of Nathan. Most of the stories I tell people about my childhood involve him somewhere down the line. We were companions and I understood that but it didn’t stop me teasing him at times, of course.

It is true that as young adults we grew apart but as we got older still it was Nathan who reinstated our relationship and reached out first. I will be eternally grateful to him for that. Whatever had happened between us being children to us being in our 30’s had evaporated and that bond we had as children was still there even if we didn’t mention it - we knew it was.

So fast forward to the Christmas and New Year just gone. For the first time in around 15 years more than 2 people from the Baker family were together for the holidays. There was an air of compassion and nostalgia and I don’t mind admitting that it was one of the best Christmases I’ve had in a long time. I hope it was the same for Nathan.

They are my bookends for me and my brother. I will look back with great fondness of the times we spent as children and I will cherish our last celebration together.

So I will leave you with a story that sums up how I feel about Nathan. We were small children - Nathan a toddler and myself no older than 5 or 6. We were round our Nan’s and our mother scolded Nathan for whatever reason and he burst into tears. Without hesitation I threw my arms around him to comfort him and he hugged me back as he sobbed. Our mum and nan “aww”-ed in unison. It is that action that symbolises my love for him.
My brother, Nathan Baker.

Nathan Baker bum my beautiful nephew x

You were a beautiful beautiful soul who deserved so much joy; so gentle, sensitive and really caring to your core despite everything.

My memories of you are thankfully many including but not exclusively:

Holding you for the first time and kissing you when you were a week old when your parents brought to my wedding in Scotland.

Going over the splash pool with your brother and cousin and back to mine for tea.

Singing songs in my car together with Kyla and Ashley about how special you were, how much your were loved and how much I loved you…… you beaming from ear to ear singing at the top of your voice 

Caravan holidays in Cornwall - Dressing you as an ice cream cone in the fancy dress competition and you winning your age category!!! (Sorry I forgot to give you leg room to bend).

Caravan holidays in the IOW where you held Debbie’s hand because she was scared of the needles chairlift and it was only you we trusted to really look out for her and you did.

At 9 years old you roller blading from Portchester to Copnor with Ashley to see me and me driving you home dropping you round the corner after so you wouldn’t get in trouble lol.

Becoming a daddy yourself so young yet so proud and I sooooo proud of you for not running away.

Your special birthday at Frankie and Benny’s

Parties at mine as a young adult enjoying time together just being.

Five days before you left us, you and I talking about your future and how positive you were about your plans.

Our last words being about us getting together as it had ‘been far too long’ and you saying ‘I would really like that’.

I am sad writing all of this knowing we cannot recall these memories together and that we wont be together for a while, be with granddad baby he will have been waiting for you.

So as I say good night and fight my tears I just want to say thank you for being you and for Tyler – your legacy.

I am so proud and thankful that as my nephew you were one of my babies.

Forever your auntie xxx

Very sad to hear the news regarding Nath. We shared a love of music and animals. The was a lot of chatting about dogs in maths class as let’s face it they’re so much more interesting. Nathan also made me great mix CDs that I transferred onto my mini disc player (old school). Red hot chilli peppers always reminded me of Nathan and I remember just last year writing to him about what a disappointed they were live at reading 2007.

Was really honoured he got back in touch with me all those years on from school and it really was like old times chatting to him :) A very kind person with one of the biggest smiles :D

Thinking of all his family at this sad time. Xxx