Paul Baker

Paul H. Baker, 91, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2015 following a brief illness. He was born in Hanson, MA on January 31, 1924 to the late Warren Sears Baker and Hannah Griffin Baker.

His loving wife of 65 years, Janice Crittenden Baker and three children survive him: Martha Baker of Überlingen, Germany, Douglas Baker of Torrance, CA, and Judith Baker of Erie. Four grandchildren also survive: Zach Hughes of Philadelphia, Julian Fibich of Munich, Germany, Verena Fibich of Münster, Germany, and Jeff Hughes of Erie. He is further survived by his older sister, Ruth Moreau of Englewood, FL, and several cousins, nieces and nephews residing from coast to coast.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Baker and three siblings: Warren Baker, Anne Sweeney and Robert Baker.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His college years were interrupted by WWII while he served in a supply company in the European theatre. Upon graduation, he joined the General Electric Company and, in 1948, moved to Erie, where he met his wife. In 1984, he retired as manager of domestic locomotive design and development and devoted his time and talent to volunteer activities, travel and his family.

A devoted and proud husband/father/grandfather, he will be remembered as a gentleman, admired and respected by all who knew him. His legacy includes generosity of spirit, sensibility, humility, wisdom, and humor. He was a life-long learner through Elderhostel travels (now Road Scholar), and owned a collection of DVD lectures on wide-ranging subjects produced by The Great Courses. An avid reader of fiction and non-fiction, he also kept a personal library on regional history, boats and trains. Paul and his wife attended the Erie Philharmonic and Erie Playhouse for many years. He also supported the Erie Art Museum, Erie Zoo, Smithsonian Institute, National Geographic and many other non-profit agencies. Together with his wife, they traveled often to Germany to visit their daughter’s family, and enjoyed many historic sites as well as the local culture. Their most cherished trips were to China in 1996, Ireland in 2006 and family reunions in Connecticut, Arizona and California. Although he left us too soon, his life had been blessed with good health, happiness and a loving family.

Paul had been an active member of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul over the years, notably as Sunday school teacher, member of the Chapter, usher, and Food Pantry volunteer. He also volunteered at the Blasco Memorial Library for 20 years, helping patrons use the computers and internet. For more than 20 years, Paul delivered meals for Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels to Erie’s homebound seniors. When the Museum of Erie GE History opened in 1995, Paul became a docent and coordinated the volunteer schedule until it closed in 2011 following the devastating fire. In addition, he had served on the Lawrence Park Zoning Review Board for 35 years. He had been a long time member of the 8-10 Investment Club, GE Elfun Society and GEERS. Several years ago, Paul built a working model of the historic Findley Lake, NY water wheel that was used to construct the full-scale replica now in Gazebo Park.

Beginning in the winter of 1967-68, Paul volunteered with the Peek’n Peak Ski Patrol, retiring after his 36th season. In addition to alpine skiing, Paul enjoyed sailing every summer. He had been a member of the Erie Yacht Club from 1960 until 2012, soon after he sold his Cape Dory Typhoon, “Griffin”, christened to honor of his mother’s family name. He was a founding member of the Rhodes Bantam sailing association, edited the RB Class newsletter and participated in many regattas on Presque Isle Bay and in the Finger Lakes throughout the 1960s. For many years, he enjoyed playing handball at the YMCA with his GE colleagues, and until 2014, he and his wife had exercised regularly at the GE Fitness Center.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 W. 10th Street on Thursday, June 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend the funeral service at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 26 at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 133 West 6th Street, with The Very Reverend John Downey officiating. Interment will be in the church columbarium immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 1128 State St. Suite 317, Erie, PA 16501, Erie Arts & Culture, 3 East 4th St. Suite 10, Erie, PA 16507 or the charity of one’s choice.