Richard M. Baker

Richard M. Baker
November 26, 1921 - February 28, 2013

. . . most of all, he cherished spending time with friends and family . . .

Richard M. Baker, 91 passed away Thursday (Feb. 28, 2013) at Hart Comfort House in Wellsville following a brief illness.

Mr. Baker was born on Nov. 26, 1921 in Andover to Oliver H. and Emma (Moss) Baker. He was a 1939 graduate of Andover Central School. On Nov. 2, 1940, in Andover, he married Ellen Perrin, who predeceased him on Nov. 28, 2010 after celebrating 70 years of marriage.

Richard worked as an auto mechanic in Wellsville for many dealerships before retiring from Hetzel Motors in 1983.

Dick is survived by two sons, Richard M. Baker, II of Andover and Michael S. (Ellen) Baker of Almond; three daughters, Judith E. (Richard) Byndas of Waterloo, Melinda S. (H. Richard) Baker of Canton, Ga. and Marsha B. (Dale) Clark of Andover; ten grandsons, Gary Hoagland, Christopher Hoagland, Bruce Baker, David Baker, Dan Byndas, Ryan Clark, Seth Baker, Kevin Baker, Guy Baker and Lee Baker; four granddaughters, Stefanie Arnaman, Jennifer Lenac, Michelle Mansfield and Janice Clancy; 28 grandchildren and another to be born in July; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Josephine Devers, two brothers, Newell Baker and John Baker; a son, Stephen Baker, a daughter-in-law, Brenda Baker; two great grandsons; and a special companion, his dog Gidget.

“Pa” as he was known to most Andover residents was a direct descendant of Alpheus Baker, one of the founding fathers of “Bakerstown”, which became Andover. He was a charter member of the Andover Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed going to the NYS Old Tyme Fiddlers Picnic along with his grandchildren. He loved taking fishing trips into Canada and traveling to Newfoundland to visit relatives but most of all, he cherished spending time with friends and family at the Karcane’s, Gorsuch’s and the Wooden Nickel.

Friends may call on Monday from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover The funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. William “Scotty” MacCrea, Abbot of the Celtic Christian Community, officiating. Burial will follow in Baker Family Cemetery in Andover.

Memorial contributions in Dick’s name may be made to Hart Comfort House, 141 E. State St., Wellsville, NY 14895, where he was pleased to spend his final days.

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...