Our beloved David Ashley Baker, 54, of Halifax, Massachusetts passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2025.
David was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts on July 12, 1970. He graduated from Whitman Hanson Regional High School in 1988 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministry from Eastern Nazarene College in 1997. David was employed as a Process Manager at Atos Solutions where he worked for 18 years.
David was deeply loved and will be missed by his wife Annette Baker (Sugrue); his children Ashley, Hunter, and Tristan Baker and their mother Lan Thuy Mac of Hanson; his stepchildren Jake and Luke Queiros; his parents Lee Sr. and Marcia Baker of Hanson; his brother Lee Baker Jr. and his wife Nancy of Stafford, Virginia; his sister Cathy-Ann Tilley (Baker) and her husband Jamie of Hanson, and lifelong and devoted friend Scott Ripley as well as many others. David is also survived by his loving nephews and niece, Jonathan, Ryan, Kyle, Natalie Baker, and James (JJ) Tilley Jr. and always supportive uncles and aunts. Lastly, his loyal dog and hiking partner, Sadie.
David was a kind, caring and selfless soul. He cherished his family and friends and always made special connections wherever he went. There was no more evident example of his devotion to his family than in 2002 when he donated his kidney selflessly to his Uncle Lennie. On Valentine’s Day Uncle Lennie received David’s gracious gift at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Each year thereafter Valentine’s Day was affectionately referred to as “Kidney Day.” The care and support Uncle Lennie and David received at the hospital was exceptional. It was no surprise to anyone that years later in 2016, David decided to give back to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and honor Uncle Lennie that he started training for The Boston Marathon. On April 18, 2016, Uncle Lennie’s birthday, David accomplished his goal crossing the finish line surrounded by the cheers of family and friends.
David never lost his childlike spirit and his willingness to play. His creativity and imagination were endearing and inspiring to many. He became a youth minister at both Hanson and Whitman Congregational Churches after graduating from college. The young lives he mentored, nurtured, and supported during those years were countless. Years later when he had his own family he became a den leader for his son’s cub scout pack. David was truly at home and using the gifts God blessed him with when in service to the community.
David had a passion for gardening, preserving the environment and spreading joy to everyone’s hearts. David received his permaculture design certificate from South Shore Permaculture in 2023. He served as Treasurer for the local chapter of “Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes,” served as a community builder for the “Buy Nothing Project,” and was a committee member on the River Herring Restoration Committee.
Most recently, David joined the New England Santa Society and International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas to spread magic and joy as Santa Claus to all those young and old during the Christmas Season.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Funeral Services on Wednesday, April 9 th at 10:00am at Hanson Congregational Church, 639 High Street, Hanson, MA with Reverend Mary Perry and Reverend Doctor Peter Smith officiating.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 8 th at 4:00 – 7:00pm at Blanchard Funeral Chapel, 666 Plymouth Street, Whitman, MA 02382.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to New Again, Inc. at www.newagaininc.org an organization where David volunteered and cared deeply about.