Farewell to Christopher Baddeley, September 28, 1939- October 4, 2021
Chris was born in Liverpool and his family moved to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) when he was 11 years old becoming a Rhodesian for life! He was proud to be a Chaplin High School old boy and it was a highlight for him to attend the 100-year anniversary celebrations back in Gweru with many of his class who stayed in contact through their lives.
Chris had many passions. His first being family and his many friends. He was loyal, resourceful, and resilient, a man without pretensions who was never cowed. A successful businessman, he worked with Survey, Mobil, Clan, and Trek/Frasers International. Having facilitated the creation of the largest International Moving Company he retired in his mid-forties to move to Canada to set up a new life for the family. But his heart never left Africa and once the children had finished school and having been sworted in his attempt to move back to Zimbabwe he spent as much time as he could until his diagnosis traveling back to Africa to see friends and family and working with Laser Transportation and Rainbow Chickens. A natural sportsman he excelled at swimming and golf achieving a low single-digit handicap within 18 months of taking up golf in his twenties while never using woods. He supported Liverpool F.C. or any Northern team playing a London Team.
He was an inspiration with his strength, resolve, and will to live throughout his seven-year effort to beat Pancreatic cancer. Keeping his sense of humour to the very end with a final wiggle of his ears, eyebrows, and nose. We all feel very fortunate that through the excellence of Dr. Stephen W. Chung (you are the statistic) in his execution of his Whipple procedure, the resources BC Cancer Agency and Marylene and Paul of the Palliative Support Centre we were blessed with so many bonus years.
Mourning his passing are his wife of 60 years, Paxa and their children Michael (Jacqui), Carol, Jennifer (Mark Zastre), Gillian, and grandchildren Matthew, Sarah, Alexander, Marcus, Samantha, Grace, and Nicholas. Also, his brother Robert, cousin Rosemary, Sister-in-law Hazel, and many friends around the world.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the SPCA or charity of your choice.
Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement; it invigorated Dad and he really appreciated knowing that “he never walked alone” and we do as well.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Christopher R D Baddeley September 28 1939 October 4 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique