Kenneth J. “Ken” Baker, 56, of Bourne, formerly of Natick, passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family on April 14, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Donna (Basoli) Baker with whom he shared 27 years of marriage.
Born in Natick, the son of Louise (Colantonio) Baker of Millis and the late Phillips Baker, Jr., Ken was raised in Norfolk. He attended King Philip High School in Wrentham and was a 1972 graduate of Bellingham High School where he played football and track & field. Ken spent many years in Natick and worked at Rexam Medical Packaging in Ashland prior to being relocated to Burlington, NJ where he was the Director of Operations. After diagnosis of Multiple Systems Atrophy, Ken relocated to Cape Cod to be closer to his family. He was under hospice care for the past year and was able to remain at home because he had a wonderful caregiving team. Ken enjoyed softball and played with the Minuteman Dart League as well as enjoying recreational visits to casinos, horseracing, and being involved in Fantasy Football.
Ken is survived by his children, Gina Pennett Lowden and her husband Joshua of Bourne, Jillian Baker of Bellingham, and Jason Baker of Marlborough; his grandchildren, Gianna, Mia, and Jacoby Lowden; and his siblings, Theresa Baker Erwin and her husband Charles of Bellingham, Stephen Baker of Millis, David Baker and his wife Judy of Fitchburg, Brian Baker and his wife Kim of Sandwich, and the late Phillips Baker, III. Kenneth was the son-in-law of Mary Basoli of Natick and the late Gino Basoli; brother-in-law of Marilyn and Milt Parker of Sagamore Beach, Louis and Elaine Basoli of Sagamore Beach, Linda Spingler of Marlborough, and Janet and Steve Mahoney of Bourne; and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Ken’s funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. (at Natick Common) NATICK on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 9:00 AM to be followed by his Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 82 Exchange St. Millis at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Basoli Family lot at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Natick. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 18, 2011 from 4-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the U-Mass Baker MSA Fund, c/o U-Mass Development Office, 333 South St. Shrewsbury, MA 01545.