PROMINENT former local pharmacist Kevin Baker was laid to rest by family last month.
Kevin was born on 6 January 1935 at Abbotsford, Sydney to John and Edna Baker.
He was the youngest of seven children.
Educated at the Sydney Technical High School, at age 14 he won the Under 15, 220 yards title at the All Schools level.
After school he attended Sydney University and graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 1955.
Kevin undertook pharmacy locums in rural areas and became a junior partner in a pharmacy at Wingham.
He met Judy Henry at Taree Hospital and they were married in September 1959.
Daughter Kerry was born in 1960 and son Mark in 1962.
At Wingham Kevin was the President of the Chamber of Commerce, a state swimming time-keeper, a member of Apex and the Controller of the local Civil Defence.
In 1969 Kevin moved to Port Macquarie and opened a pharmacy in Horton Street and a second at Lighthouse Beach in 1974.
When Settlement City opened, he opened a third pharmacy there in 1984.
Judy worked alongside Kevin and was a wonderful support, but she always went home at 3pm to greet the children after school.
In 1988, Kevin was chosen to play the part of Captain Cook in the local celebrations of Australia’s bi-centenary.
The Patron of the Tacking Point Surf Club, he was named a life-member when he retired.
Kevin was also the President of the Westport Rotary Club and served in Rotary for many years.
He was on the board of the hospital for many years and became Chairman of the Mid North Coast Health District Board.
Kevin’s other great interest was in breeding racehorses.
He was fascinated by genetics and bred one Group 1 winner and many other quality racehorses.
He is survived by wife Judy, daughter Kerry, son Mark and grandsons Matthew and Andrew.
