The man who died tragically at Deviot last week will today be remembered as a loving grandfather, devoted husband and all-round easy-going man.
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Most passionate about sailing, motorbikes and his wife Robyn, Chris Baker leaves behind a devastated family struggling to come to terms with his death.
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His wife, Robyn Baker reflected on the life of her late husband and said he was the most "calm, relaxed and easy-going person you could ever meet".
"He never got angry, he never bore a grudge and he never did today what he could put off until tomorrow," she said.
Though it was his easy-going manner that endeared him most to his family and friends, Mr Baker left behind a legacy beyond just those closest to him.
Mr Baker was born and bred in the Launceston region attending Riverside Primary and High schools.
Always a go-getter, and inspired by a unique grandmother, Mr Baker inherited a keen enthusiasm for motorbikes and found a biking buddy in Launceston motorcycle legend Malcolm Campbell.
Mrs Baker said it was in part Mr Baker's relationship with Campbell that led him to his status in motorcycling folklore.
Chris was passionate about motorbikes from the very early days. He had a grandmother ... and she used to sit beside him and they'd go around with the L plates up but she didn't have her license.
- Robyn Baker, Chris Baker's wife
While his younger years were hallmarked by a close and loving relationship with his grandmother and a passion for motorbikes, it was his love for his wife that continued until his death.
The pair met at Riverside High School aged 16 and 14 and it this point they started "going steady".
Just two years later the Bakers were married and never looked back, being married for 46 years.
Mrs Baker said his relaxed attitude was the complete opposite of her and their partnership was a classic case of chalk-and-cheese.
"I'm the absolute opposite, one person had to be the driver," she said.
After the pair had their first child Mr Baker turned his attention to sailing and bought his first yacht.
From then on sailing became a staple of his life. Mrs Baker said her husband was a powerhouse sailor who circumnavigated Tasmania multiple times, sailed to Queensland and became an expert in boat deliveries travelling all over the world on world-class catamarans.
He circumnavigated Tasmania - he's been around Tasmania umpteen times - and we sailed up to Queensland and back over seven months. He did Tahiti to Coffs Harbour, Fremantle to the Philippines, Fremantle to Bali - really serious offshore stuff.
- Robyn Baker
By any objective measure the life of Mr Baker was exhilarating.
Mrs Baker said it was a genetic inheritance that led him to filling his life with more extreme activities.
"We had his DNA tested and he had a little bit of Viking in it," she said.
Close family friend and neighbour of 20-years Des said there was no doubt Mr Baker lived a "very full" life.
Despite his love for his wife being the strongest, Mr Baker was a doting father of two children, Clint and Joanne, and six grandchildren, Liam, Zak, Ruby, Harry, George and Max.
Zak said Mr Baker had inspired an easy-going attitude and bestowed upon all of his grandchildren a simple and efficient outlook on life.
Mrs Baker said his grandchildren continually put a smile on his face.
Like any great life story, Mr Baker's was filled with the love of furry friends. Always a cat lover, Mr Baker left behind his feline friend Marco.
Mrs Baker said she would always remember her husband and Marco setting in for a long stint on the outside couch watching the world go by. She said Marco was now pining for his father.
Mrs Baker said, like his owner, Marco was not a cat who would leave anything to the imagination. Like a battle wound the white and grey cat bore a battle wound from fighting with a possum as a kitten.
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Like the cat he left behind, Mr Baker also had his fair share of war wounds, but it was one that Mrs Baker said gave the greatest insight into the man her husband was.
"He was doing a naughty thing, he was doing a little repair job and used a saw in the wrong manner and cut off his finger," Mrs Baker said.
"I was walking [nearby] and he drove along and said, 'hop in, we've got to go to the hospital'.
"He said, 'I've cut off my finger' and I looked at him and he was all grey and I said, 'I think you better pull over and I'll drive'."
Though Mr Baker evidently kept his wife on her toes, Mrs Baker said she had a trove of fond memories from their time together.
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