Obituary of Bert L. Baker

WESTFIELD - Bert L. Baker, 82, of Westfield, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019, at Westfield Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Bert was born on July 5, 1937, in Westfield, New York, the son of the late Leroy J. and Bessie (Fuller) Baker. He was raised on the family farm in West Portland and attended Westfield Schools. Bert enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 1955 to 1959 during the Korean War. He had been a Maintenance Supervisor for Conrail, working from Cleveland, Ohio to Buffalo, NY for over 36 years. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed scoring several hole in ones. Bert retired to Deming, New Mexico, where he and his late wife, Ona Lee (Haskin) Baker, resided for over 20 years prior to returning to Westfield in 2018. Sadly, Ona Lee passed away on January 26, 2019. He was a member and past officer and past Governor of the Westfield Moose Lodge #118. However, most of all, Bert's family was everything to him. Survivors include his son, Steven (Alicia) Baker of Westfield NY; his step-son, Douglas Shepard of Jamestown NY, and his 2 step-daughters, Candace Brown of Lubbock TX, and Diane Guilliams of Nashville TN. Several grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren also survive. Bert is further survived by his 3 brothers, Paul (Beanie) Baker of Westfield NY, Lawrence Baker of Sherman NY, and Roger (Karol) Baker of Hornell NY and by his sister, Bonnie (Robert) Strobel of Charlotte NC. In addition to his parents and wife, Bert was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Baker and by his sister Arlene Ptak. Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY on Friday, December 20, 2019 from 1 PM until the time of Services there at 3 PM with Rev. Nicholas Perry officiating. Inurnment will be private in Westfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to The Patterson Library, 40 So. Portage St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Baker family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.