Obituary: James F. Baker, 87

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James F. Baker of North Kingstown passed away June 20 at the age of 87. A North Kingstown native, Baker was born to the late James and Ellen Giblin Baker.

After graduating from , Baker joined the United States Navy at 18 years old. During his military career, he received honors for valor while serving with the Amphibious Force in the Pacific during World War II. He maintained an active affiliation with his shipmates throughout his lifetime. Baker went on to serve during the Korean Conflict.

After his military service, Baker went on to a career with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation as a traffic maintenance supervisor. (He stated with the DOT for 40 years). During that time, he also served as a special officer in the and was even a car salesman for Weber Chevrolet of Coventry. In his post-retirement years, he founded South County Pavement Markers. Rounding out his career, Baker worked as a truant officer for the North Kingstown School Department until he was 84 years old.

Baker leaves behind his wife (and "best friend of 65 years") Carmen Joanne Treen Baker. Together, they have 10 children – Carol Baker Libby of Bethlehem PA, James F. III of Narragansett, Timothy E. of Jamestown, Michael L. of North Kingstown, Pamela B. Shepard of North Kingstown, Kim Baker Pigoga of Exeter, Peter A. of Hopkinton, Lori F. Kriss of Tarpon Springs FL, Suzanne C. Tift of North Kingstown, and Nancy C. Baker of South Kingstown.  He was the proud grandfather of fifteen and great-grandfather of nine.  In addition, he served as a foster-father for twenty-eight infants as they awaited adoption.  He was predeceased by a brother, John, and a sister, Catherine Baker Brooks. 

Mr. Baker leaves behind a rich legacy of community service.  His lifelong passion for youth athletics led him into countless roles as a coach, official, and avid fan.  He helped to found the Wickford Little League, the North Kingstown recreational basketball program, and the North Kingstown High School Booster Club. For more than half a century, he served as a referee, umpire and timer for recreational, Little League, Babe Ruth League, and interscholastic sports. For his children and grandchildren, he was a fiercely loyal advocate and spectator.  Mr. Baker himself was a standout basketball player in his youth and an avid golfer later in life.

Beyond the athletic arena, Mr. Baker’s contributions to the community include membership in and St. Mark’s Church of Jamestown. He served on numerous town committees including the North Kingstown Leisure Services Commission and the Board of Canvassers.  In his neighborhood, Mr. Baker provided leadership in the Poplar Point Association.  He was an active member of the North Kingstown Democratic Party and a longtime member of the North Kingstown Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33.  He received a number of awards in recognition of his civic contributions, including South County CYO Man of the Year in 1954, the Agnes Armstrong Award for Child Welfare, the National Community Citizen Award in 1966, the Slocum Grange Community Service Award in 1998, and a North Kingstown Police Department Special Service Citation.  In 1997, he was proudly inducted into the North Kingstown Athletic Hall of Fame.

The funeral for Mr. Baker will begin at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2012 from the , 825 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mark Church, 60 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown. Burial with Military Honors will follow at in North Kingstown.  Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations are respectfully requested to the James F. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 297, North Kingstown, RI 02852. For information and condolences visit: www.FaganQuinnFuneralHome.com.