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April 26, 2022
We are sad to announce the passing of our loving father and devoted husband Gilbert Warner Baxter after a short bout of COVID. Gil passed away peacefully the morning of April 26, 2022 at the age of 92. Predeceased by his first wife Lillian in 1981, Gil is survived by his loving wife Gudrun (Rusty) Baxter, daughters Patricia Endel, Diane MacDougall (Dean), Jeanne Baxter, Joanne van Pel (Corey): sons Wayne Baxter (Diane), Bryan Baxter (Karen), Lyle Baxter (Eleanor) and Allan Baxter (Aimee): stepdaughter Wendy Yacboski, stepson Larry Marakowski (Deb) and many, many grand and great grandchildren.
Gil was gentle, sociable and outgoing by nature. In the immortal words of Will Rogers, Gil never met a man he didn't like. He had the ability to pull his motor home into a new RV park and know all his new neighbours within his first hour there.
Gil believed in the old ways of taking care of his family and often held down two jobs to ensure his family was clothed, sheltered and fed. The two careers that Gil leaned on most were forklift driving for MacMillan Bloedel and furniture moving with Schofield & Malpass, Minutemen Moving and Storage and Chilo Transport. His ability to load a moving van is legendary. He also spent his early years as a construction labourer.
Gil had a love for the game of lacrosse. He spent many volunteer hours with the Nanaimo Minor Lacrosse Association and later became a permanent fixture at the Senior A and Senior B Timbermen games.
Retirement afforded Gil and Rusty the opportunity to pursue their passion; travelling the countryside in their motor home. Many years were spent on the road in Canada and the United States and they managed to visit all of the Canadian provinces and a high percentage of the States.
They eventually settled for a park model in Bullhead City, Arizona which afforded them the opportunity to visit casinos across the river and indulge in the sport of golf.
Gil's final years were spent in his wonderful home in Nanaimo where he had a chance to relax, cut the grass on his ride-on lawnmower and enjoy coffee or wine with his extended family.
At Gil's request, there will be no memorial service.


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