Vaughn Etland Baptiste

October 4, 1948 – June 4, 2025

Vaughn Etland Baptiste was born on October 4, 1948, in New York, the third child of Mary Graham and Samuel Baptiste. He was a devoted and loving husband to Delia Bailey-Baptiste and a cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He is preceded in death by his sister Andrea and his son Vincent, and survived by his children Julian, Keisha, and Giovanna; grandchildren Natasha, Stephanie, Deborah, Neomi, Judah, Dahlia, and Joshua; great-grandchildren Nehemiah, Noah, Chloe, Omaree, and Daniel; and a host of siblings: Elona, Julanne, Tanya, Fasina, Kevin, Ivan, Pierre, Erik, Kimberly, Samone, and Ian, along with numerous relatives, friends, and coworkers who were touched by his life.

From a young age, Vaughn was captivated by flight. In a time when few mentors existed for young Black boys dreaming of aviation, he found inspiration in books and built a vision that would carry him far above the clouds. After graduating high school, Vaughn enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his country. Following his honorable discharge, he pursued his passion for aviation by enrolling at Farmingdale State College in New York, where he earned his Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in June 1986.

His professional journey took flight soon after. He became an assistant instructor in the Aerospace Department, where he taught the fundamentals of instrument flight using the GAT-1 simulator. He later worked as a Ground Instructor at Science High School in Newark, New Jersey, and at the Academy of Flight in Long Island, New York, where he prepared students for their private and commercial pilot examinations.

Vaughn was an FAA-certified Airline Transport Pilot with a multi-engine rating, an Advanced Ground Instructor certification, and completed the written requirements for Flight Engineer licensing. He flew for 20 years as both a first officer and captain for various commuter airlines before choosing to conclude his aviation career in 1990. His decision wasn’t driven by circumstance but by calling—a desire to serve others in new and meaningful ways.

His next chapter was dedicated to service and compassion. Vaughn joined FEMA, working in community and public relations, where he supported those affected by natural disasters. He often said that serving people in crisis deepened his empathy and reminded him that life isn’t about loving things, but about loving people. He viewed service not as work, but as a calling—to bring hope where there was despair.

One of the most defining moments of his life came in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. On the third day following the destruction of the Twin Towers, Vaughn was deployed to Ground Zero. Though the mission was heavy, he embraced it with courage and conviction. He believed deeply in duty—“God first, then Country, then Family”—and lived those values with quiet strength and excellence.

He served as a FEMA reservist until the lasting biological effects of his service at Ground Zero began to take a toll on his body. Yet through it all, he never lost his spirit. At every treatment, his first question to the doctor was always, “How are you doing?” That simple act captured the essence of who he was—someone whose concern for others never wavered, even in his own suffering.

For Vaughn, service wasn’t a duty—it was a way of life. He believed that a life lived in service to others, without expectation of reward, was a life well lived.

He never truly retired; he simply completed his assignment on earth. His life was a powerful example of purpose, service, and humility; and when his time came, he was welcomed as God's faithful servant.