SPENCER: Frank Joseph Baker,95, of Cooney Rd., died Thursday, Jan. 28 at Webster Manor in Webster.
He was the husband of Mary G. (Toomey) Baker who died in 2015. He leaves his six children: Mary Baker-Wood of Spencer, Blaise B. Baker of North Brookfield, Nancy E. Billings and her husband William of North Brookfield, Kathryn F. Partridge and her husband Lester of North Brookfield, Garrett Baker and his wife Brenda of North Brookfield, Peter Baker and his wife Melissa Meleen of Barre. His grandchildren: Adam Wood, Catherine Wood, Jamie Billings, Jeremy Partridge, Amanda Hunt, Joseph Baker and Dylan Baker; and nine great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by a brother Raymond Beauregard,a sister Victoria Thornton and his son-in-law Ralph M. Wood in 2017.
Born in Spencer MA, he was the son of Frank J. Baker and Leah (Gagnon) Baker both of Spencer.
He graduated from David Prouty High School and immediately upon graduation joined the U.S. Army serving in World War II. He completed basic training at Camp Grant, IL and then was stationed in Cheltenham England. After D-Day, he was stationed in Paris, France and Wiesbaden, Germany. He loved telling stories about his time in the Army.
After returning from service, he became Purchasing Agent for the former Kleven Shoe Co. in Spencer and later, North Brookfield. After Kleven's moved its operations out of the area, he worked for many years as manager of Honey Farms in Spencer and after retirement, at Klem’s in Spencer.
During the late 1940’s and 1950’s he played guitar in the Western band, “Red River Rangers”, which performed at local venues and on local WARE radio. The family has copies of recordings made by the band and memories of being sung to sleep listening to “Wabash Cannonball” played on his Gibson guitar. He and his wife, Mary, were also avid square dancers.
He was a member of church and community organizations including the Knights of Columbus and the Spencer Arts Council.
At his request, private graveside services are planned with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Spencer with Military Honors. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Spencer Rescue Squad Inc., 6 Bixby Road, Spencer. The J.HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer is directing arrangements for the family.