Obituary of Sydney S Baker

WESTFIELD - Sydney S. “Syd” Baker, age 88, of Westfield, died Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Heritage Park Rehab & SNF of Jamestown, NY. following a lengthy illness. 

 Mr. Baker was born January 11, 1930 in Jamestown, NY. a son of the late S. Sheldon and Norma (Wallen) Baker.

 Syd was a 1949 graduate of Jamestown High School and was a member of the Braw Caddie Clan Fraternity. Following graduation he served his Country with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War until 1953 aboard the USS Wasp CVA 18 as a 1^st Class Boatswain’s Mate in charge of the 3^rd Division. He received 6 commendations including the Good Conduct Medal in 1952.

 Once Syd was honorably discharged of his duties serving his Country, he obtained an A.A.S. and B.S. in printing from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1956.

 He had been employed by Ace Offset in NYC for many years and retired from Mid Eastern Printing of Brookfield, CT as a Platemaker Supervisor in 1989.

 Syd was a 4^th generation direct descendent of Col. Henry Baker, an early Jamestown pioneer and settler, after whom Baker Park and Baker Street were named.

 He was a lifelong collector of Jamestown and Chautauqua Lake and County memorabilia. He donated 75 scrapbooks dating back from the 1930s to the present, along with steamboat memorabilia to the Oliver Archives Center in the Chautauqua Institution. Several of his photos have been included in various books and publications. Syd has also donated extensively to the Fenton History Center and Library, the Bemus Point, Chautauqua County, Randolph, Albany, NY and Brookfield Historical Societies as well as the Salamanca Rail Museum.

 Syd was a charter member of the Randolph, NY, Bemus Point, NY and Chautauqua County Historical Societies. He was also a member of Thule Lodge of Jamestown, NY and a Life Member of the Mayville VFW and Past President of the Chautauqua Twp. Historical Society in Mayville, NY.

 He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane (Lupton) Baker, whom he married on May 10, 1974 in Hackensack, New Jersey, his daughters; Catherine A. Baker, Mary Grace (Baker) Schwartz, and step-daughter;  Wendy Walker, and his sons; Andrew S. Baker, Charles S. Baker, Scott S. Baker and step-son; Larry Myers. Three loving grand-daughters and one step-grand-daughter further survive.

 In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, John Hilding Larson, and his Grandmother, Ida Marie (Suderquist)  Wallen.

 Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 2-4 pm and are invited to attend the funeral service on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at 2 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 99 S. Erie St., Mayville, NY with Rev. Richard Elberfeld officiating. Full Military Honors will be accorded following the church service. Burial will be private in Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown, NY.

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Paul’s Church in Mayville or to a charity of one’s choice.

 To leave Syd’s family a message of sympathy or to light a Memorial Candle, please log on to www.masonfuneral.com.

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