David S. Baker

David S. Baker died at home on December 9. Born and raised in Western NY, he was predeceased by his father, Dr. G. Stanley Baker; his mother, Isabelle P. Baker; and his sister, Dr. Peteranne Joel. His father was the county doctor who delivered the baby who would go on to become his wife of 57 years, Vera (Shaffner) Baker.

David attended Columbia University and was active in the Gilbert & Sullivan Society where his love of opera began. He graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in sociology and architecture. In his later years, David also earned a license as an elevator operator so he could get himself to his 6th floor office after the pre-war building where he worked had to cut the hours of their operator.

David and his wife Vera moved to Springfield in 1965 where he began a career in architecture that spanned several decades. He rarely left home without a measuring tape and a flashlight. After retiring on his 75th birthday, David enjoyed traveling, coaching his grandson’s LEGO Robotics league at Zanetti School, watching all of his grandkids perform in various musical and movement choirs, and retouching some of the thousands of photos he took over the years. David especially enjoyed traveling to Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles, the Metropolitan Opera, Glimmerglass Opera Festival, and the Adirondack Mountains. He was very active at Trinity United Methodist Church in Springfield, where he served in a variety of capacities, most recently as a Trustee. David had a deep appreciation of Trinity’s Gothic architecture, and took great pride in keeping its preservation and maintenance authentic.

He is survived by his wife Vera, his children Nicole Baker (Shannon Cooley), Lynette Varnon (Andrew) and Lorrin Baker and his 3 grandchildren Samuel, Aisla, and Levi. The family thanks Beacon Hospice for their care during the last week of David’s life.

The private, family celebration of his life can be viewed using a link on the Nowak Funeral Home website at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/8698503.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 360 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108.

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