William H. Baker

Bill was born in Montgomery, Vermont on Nov 12,1936 to Homer Baker and Dorothy Longe. As the youngest of 17 children, he was the apple of his mother's eye, Billy could do no wrong. At the age 17 he joined the US Navy after begging his mother to sign for him. He served 4 years and then moved to Connecticut with his sister Carolyn's family. He drove cab in Norwich both full and part time for many years and worked full time for New London News Co until his retirement. But you could not keep him down, he got a job at Mohegan Sun and then one for Curtin Transportation Group until his medical problems finally got the best of him. On Thanksgiving of 2016 he fell ill and was taken to the hospital, after a short stay they recommended he be placed in a nursing home. He liked the new place, the caregivers were all his "girl friends' and he would tell us about them any time we visited. He never forgot how to play poker and would take on anyone just for the fun of it. He spent his time scooting around the halls and common rooms in his wheel chair, chatting with anyone who would listen and flirting with all the "girls". Bill passed away in that nursing home under the care of Hospice on Saturday Sept 21st 2019. He spent his life as a friend to more people than you can count. He loved jokes, beer, cards, old style country music, his 4 kids, 9 grandkids, and 8 great-grandkids. In his last few years he suffered from dementia, heart disease, and diabetes, it wasn't easy to see him go from a robust workaholic to frail old man who didn't always know who you were. He leaves behind his ex-wife who became his caretaker and friend, 4 children, Terri Baker of Waterford, CT, Brian Baker of Pawcatuck, CT, Fern Baker Assard of Norwich, CT, Matthew Baker and his partner Rachael of Ledyard, CT, 9 grand-children, 8 great-grandchildren, and numerious neices and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, nine brothers and seven sisters, he will be sorely missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date and will be announced as soon as possible. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Middlesex Hospital Homecare & Hospice - Middletown or Gladeview Heath Center in Old Saybrook, CT where he spent his last years. I thank both for giving him the loving care he recieved in his final years. Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.