Joseph BAKER

the best teacher and extraordinary person.i will miss you forever.
i was his student in Laval University in 1994.

We were teenagers together, travelled Europe many times and came to Canada together. We were too young when we married, but I have many happy memories of our time together.

Mes sympathies à toute la famille Baker. Je garderai, pour toujours, le souvenir d'un homme attachant, soucieux de la qualité de vie dans son quartier et pour Montréal tout entier.
Michel Prescott, conseiller municipal (1982-2009)

Nos sincères sympathies madame Vizkelety
votre cher époux manquera à tout l'entourage de notre rue Guilbault. Bon courage,
Michel Boyer
Monique Gabrielle Duchesne
89 rue Guilbault Ouest

Fond memories of an always positive, supportive and inspirational person who influenced so many. Imagine Joe in a pin-striped suit addressing students at McGill in the 1960s (before community action workshops). Workshops in the Point and on Rue Barré (1970s). Meeting up at a concert of Shostakovitch string quartets at McGill (1980s). A fateful lunch in our backyard with strong encouragement to go off as rather mature students to the University of York(England) to study building conservation (1990s). An art exhibition of Nicole's art (2013).A McGill réunion. Living life to the full.

Joe was an important part of the fight to preserve the architectural and urban heritage of Montreal -- and Québec. In addition, he inspired and taught many architects. His legacy is all around us.

Joe's unwavering commitment to affordable housing had a major influence on my graduate work on the history of Montreal's housing struggles. He was a generous and patient mentor: kind and curious, but also fiercely opinionated and brutally honest. He was the best, and I will miss him.

I can think of no other architect who so profoundly shaped the landscape of this city and inspired so many generations of its young architects, workers and activists. Montreal would not, and will not, be the same without him.

I just heard about Joe's passing. He was my first mentor in the days of the CDW, and led me to a life long career working on co-op housing in Canada, and housing around the world through Rooftops Canada. It was wonderful to see him at the 40th anniversary of our McGill graduating class a few years ago. He remains an inspiration and leaves a wonderful legacy of inspired architects.

So sorry for your loss Béatrice and my cousins. I will miss you uncle Joe.

Condolences to the extended Baker family, and especially to Charles, who was part of our family here at Cave Spring Cellars for may years. I only met Joe on a few occasions, but was fascinated by design sense, sharp intellect and practical application of the art of architecture. Above all, I envied the vigour with which he lived his life, to the end. May he rest in eternal peace.

What a wonderful, positive, active man throughout his very full life, A caring person who was driven by human compassion over ideology. He will be missed in the Milton Park neighborhood and by the many friends who had the pleasure of knowing him.

I worked with Joe in Pointe St Charles on a project to buy and renovate about 60 housing units for low-income residents. Joe and some of his students--I remember especially Barry Pinsky--selected the houses and prepared plans for their renovation. Joe was a tireless,committed colleague. He championed many important causes.He has wonderful sparking blue eyes. I remember him as a true hero who eschewed official honours.

So sorry for yor loss. Wishing healing in your time. Peace Beatrice and Joseph's family

With fond memories.
Michael Fieldman, FAIA, Manhattan

My late wife Renee, herself an architect, enjoyed working with Joseph Baker,and would have wanted to join me in expressing sympathy for the family. Frank McGilly