Howard James Baker
STILLWATER - The less hands of Howard James Baker, born January 5, 1933, have finally come to rest after having passed on Monday, September 4, 2017. The third son of Charles and Isabel (Chase) Baker, Howard was born in Stillwater, New York where he resided his entire life. A graduate and star athlete of Stillwater High School, he married his high school sweetheart June Theresa McDermott, then served in the Army being stationed in Germany.
Howard was a “jack of all trades and a master of most” working in a steel mill, and at Behr Manning as a machinist, and serving a term as superintendent of highway of public works for Stillwater. Over the years he was responsible for maintenance at several apartment complexes, and even at one time ran his own hardware store. How builder / carincon-ever, his real love, second only to his wife of 64 years, was being a penter. Howard had an nate ability to fix and struct just about anything, starting with his first job at age 9 fixing his neigh throughout bor’s stairs, and continuing his life.
He was the sole tor of over 50 homes; many along North Hudson Avear nu “P on mak gui dim pro venue, the majority of them in the original Clinton Court neighborhood of Stillwater, and many others in the eas surrounding Stillwater, as well as rehabbing merous homes throughout the Capital District. Never one to be idle, he used his time-off to build his derosa” for his growing family, continuously ing improvements over the years. Whenever anyone needed assistance or ance with home ment projects, “Howie” was the man for the job; taking much pride in his carpentry work he used his impeccable craftsmanship to complete the job the “Right Way”.
In addition to his wife, Howard is survived by children James (Rose) of Albany, John Terrance of Lake Worth, FL, Lauren Bagby (Brian) of Bolton MA, Pamela Lonergan of Baldwinsville, NY, Lisa Mason (Brian) of Waterford, Joel (Sharon) of Ray Stillwa Hannah mond, NH, Bonita Baker of Browns Mills, NJ, and Patrick (Tracy) of ter. Howard was the proud Poppy of 17 grandchildren: Cara, Jess, Zachary, Jamie, Aaryn, Meghan, Courtney, Mathew, Caitlin, Kelly, Evan, Sammantha, Kevin, Shawn & Seth, and Georgia, and 4 grandchildren, Chase, Comia. lin, Brayden and
Howard is also survived by his oldest brother, Mil-prede-Ken-2017 ton (Ruth) brotherand in-law Joseph McDermott (Laura); he was ceased by his brothers neth and Floyd.
Relatives and friends may call from 9:00-11:30am on Friday, September 8, at All Saints on the Hudhonson Church (St. Peter’s Church). Funeral mass will be conducted at 11:30am. Burial with military ors will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Stillwater.
A heartfelt Thank-You to the staff of the ICCU at Saratoga Hospital for their exceptional care of How compassion ard, and their and attention to addressing the needs of his family during his stay.
Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com
The family would like to honor those who serve the community, and ask that donations be considered, in Howard’s name, to the Stillwater Fire ment, the Malta-Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad, the Stillwater Free Library or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.