Franklin A. Baker Sr

09/22/2003

Franklin A. Baker Sr., 73, of 40 Navajo Drive died Monday afternoon at Williamstown Commons. Born in Adams on May 9, 1930, son of Leon E. and Helen B. Richardson Baker, he attended local schools. He later returned to school and graduated from Drury High School in 1963. Mr. Baker was employed by the former Beloit-Jones Co. in Dalton for 17 years, retiring in 1989. He also had worked for GE in Pittsfield for 10 years, the former New England Lime Co. in Adams for 10 years, and as an agent for Prudential Insurance Co. for five years. He was a communicant of the Parish of Notre Dame-St. Thomas. He enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, and entertained at local nursing homes with his friend and pianist Elsie Leja. He also enjoyed camping, especially at Windsor Jams. His wife the former Irene LaBelle, whom he married May 7, 1949, died Dec. 18, 1995. He leaves three sons, Franklin A. Baker Jr. of Amherst, Ronald Baker of North Adams and Brien Baker of Adams; two daughters, Cindy Harrington of Milford, N.H., and Cathy Gwozdz of Westford, Vt.; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Franklin A. Baker Sr. will be Thursday, Sept. 25, at 11 at TROTTIER-PRINGLE FUNERAL HOME, 6 Summer St., followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at noon at Notre Dame Church in Adams by the Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, pastor of the Parishes of Notre Dame-St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Stanislaus Kostka. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery. Calling hours will be today, Wednesday, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Boy Scout Troop 38 of Adams through the funeral home. He leaves his two daughters-in-law, Sue Baker and Susan Baker; two sons-in-law, Marty Harrington and Arthur Gwozdz; 11 grandchildren, James, Sonya-Sue, Anthony, Adam, Erin and Zachary Baker, Jeremy Harrington, Jacqueline Sandifer, Daniel, Nicholas and Theresa Gwozdz; two great-grandchildren, Dante Sandifer and Mistaya Gwozdz; his close friend, Elsie Leja, and Brien Baker's companion, Tonya Record. He was predeceased by a brother, Leon Baker.

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