Obituary of Floyd C. Baker

Athol: Floyd C. Baker, Sr., 80, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 with his loving family by his side following a courageous battle with cancer. Born December 25, 1929 in Thurman, he was the son of the late Lee and Mabel (Bunker) Baker. Floyd was a lifelong resident of the area and married Joyce M. Cameron on May 14, 1949. He began his working career with Niagara Mohawk, and then spent time working at Warrensburg Board & Paper. He also was a self employed lumberman, served as Town of Thurman Highway Superintendent, and retired from the Warren County Highway Department in 1991. Floyd was a charter member of the Thurman Volunteer Fire Department. His hobbies included hunting, making maple syrup in his sugarhouse, four wheeling, stock car racing, following NASCAR and was an avid fan of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his son, Leon Floyd Baker; his brothers: Carson, Wilbur, Carl, and Leonard Baker; sister, Luella Whitaker; two son in laws: Walt Sparks and Steven Smith, Sr. Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Joyce M. Baker of Athol; his children: Rebecca Hitchcock and her husband, Robert of Athol; Leonard Baker and his wife, Lisa of Athol; Steven Baker and his wife, Carol of Athol; Floyd “Chuck” Baker, Jr., and his wife, Lynn of Kingsbury; Deborah Sue Collignon and her husband, Douglas of Athol; 11 grandchildren: Nina Pollic, Jason Sparks, Paige Fruda, Leonard Baker, II, Steven Baker, Jr., Bradd Baker, Brandi Baker, Kevin Baker, Patti Baker, Steven Smith, Jr., and Eric Smith; 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Irene Hall of Warrensburg; brother, Albert Baker of Thurman, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call on Floyd’s family from 2-4 and 7-9 pm, Friday, September 10, at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be conducted at 11 am, Saturday, at the funeral home with Rev. Ronald Burdett, Pastor of the Warrensburg First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Reynolds Cemetery. Pallbearers will include his grandsons, along with honorary bearers, Tony Fruda and Lawrence Pollic. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Floyd’s memory to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.