Stephen Steve"" C. Baker

Stephen “Steve” C. Baker 68, of East Hartford, loving husband of 22 years to Carol (Mazzarella) Baker, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the VA Hospital in West Haven. Steve was born April 26, 1949 in Beulaville, NC to the late Clifton and Maud (Davenport) Baker. He proudly served his country in the US Army in the Vietnam War. He retired from Connecticut Transit after 26 years of service. He loved to cook and his Southern “home cooking” was well known. He also loved country music, especially Willie’s Road House, mayonnaise and bananas and making sure the “winders” were closed or open. Despite his many health challenges, he was always upbeat and persevered until the end.

Along with his beloved wife Carol, Steve is survived by his step-children Patrick, Corey and Michael Brannick all of East Hartford; his mother-in-law Jean Mazzarella who he affectionately called “Gramma” and brother-in-law John “Jack” Mazzarella, Jr. both of East Hartford; his grandchildren in Connecticut and Texas, Chase, Griffin, McKayla, Brett, Audrey-Lyn, Jamlyn, Keira, Dustin, Summer Rose; his two “adopted grandchildren” Zeke Johnson and Jude Soucier and their mother Carrie Soucier. He also leaves his sisters and their spouses, Janie and Tommy Padgett, Effie and Jimmy Blizzard, and Glenda and Art Dillon all in North Carolina; several nieces and nephews in North Carolina and Maine; and many friends. Mourning his loss in Texas are his children, Melissa Watts and her husband Chris, Jody Coggins and her husband Derrall, Todd Baker, and their mother Dorothy Coggins. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Ann Hardison and Kay Massow; and his brother Raldolph Baker.

Funeral service will be Friday (September 29th) at 10:30 am at the D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Veteran’s Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday (September 28th) from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Steve’s name may be made to the American Lung Association of New England, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. Steve’s family would like to offer a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Glastonbury Health Care Center and the West Haven VA Hospital for their professionalism, care, and support given to Steve and his entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.