LANCASTER, NH- Wallace W. Baker, 75, passed away peacefully Thursday evening January 20, 2011, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon.
Mr. Baker was born in Whitefield on October 14, 1935 a son of Wallace and Olive (Lamotte) Baker.
Wally was raised in Lancaster and was graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1954. He served 4 years in the US Army. For a time he worked as a lineman for Western Union and a heavy equipment operator for several local contractors and for 18 years he worked for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation in the maintenance department, retiring in 1998.
After retirement he spent many hours in his wood working shop, he was well known locally and even as far as Iowa and Michigan for his fine work, he enjoyed Open Mic nights at the Methodist Church and classic country music. He was an avid NASCAR fan and was also a dedicated WMRHS sports fan; he and his wife received the "Booster Club Fan" award in 2005. His other interests included riding his motorcycle, gardening and especially fishing with his children and grandchildren.
He was a member of the John W. Weeks VFW Post 3041 and a past member of the Lancaster Fire Department.
Family members include his wife of 49 years Prudy Baker of Lancaster, two sons Gary Baker and his wife Robyn of Lancaster and Brian Baker and his wife Kristine of Maidstone, VT two daughters Becky Bates and her husband Bob of Newport, NH and Lori Dicton of Rutland, VT, four sisters, Betty Gosselin of Gorham, Mary Fogg of Stark, Theresa Carey of Mont Vernon, NH and Alice Melville of Temple, ME, 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by, two brothers David Baker and Leo Baker and two sisters Rita Gosselin and Aleta Pinnow.
Memorial visiting hours will be held Tuesday evening January 25, from 6-8 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A memorial service will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM at the Christ United Methodist Church in Lancaster. Reverend Ron Bruce, pastor, will officiate. Reverend Donna Leslie of Coydon, NH will co-officiate.
In lieu of flowers donations maybe made in his memory to the Lancaster Fireman's Association, 25 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.