John A. Baker

John A. Baker, age 77, of Cranford, NJ, died Monday, August 1st at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. Visitation will be from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016. Services will be at 11 AM on Friday, August 5, 2011 at Gray Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ. John was born on February 21, 1934 in Kearny, NJ. He was the son of the late John P. and Lillian (Purchase) Baker, lived in the Northeast and South during his childhood, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, NJ in 1952. John worked for Turner Construction Company and then served in the US Army from 1953-1956. He joined AT&T Long Lines in 1956 and retired as a Staff Manager in Government Affairs in 1994. John married Nancy Spinner in 1963 and moved to Cranford, NJ, where they lived happily for the past 48 years. He was an active member of the Belmar Fishing Club, where he served on the Board of Governors, and was part of the Wednesday Club. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and spending time at the Jersey Shore, as well as spending time with his family and friends. John is best known for being a dedicated and loving husband and father, good friend and neighbor, and one of the most kind, gentle, and selfless people to grace this earth. John Baker is survived by his wife Nancy Baker; his son Donald Baker and wife Judy, and their sons Ryan and Justin; his son Jeffrey Baker and his son Jack; sisters Pat Dylla, Jackie Banner, and Lillian Wyant; many nieces and nephews; and his best friends, James and Mary Stine. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made for pancreatic cancer research to The Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714 or www.lustgarten.org. For additional information, contact www.grayfuneralhomes.com .