John Cronin Baker

Another member of the Greatest Generation is gone. John Cronin Baker of Morro Bay went to the arms of his Savior Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Born in Massachusetts in 1923 to John Walter Baker and Barbara Cronin, he was the eldest of four children. His family cultivated in him the virtues of hard work and service to others. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Eighth Army 366th Bomb Group, 305th Squadron. He was the top turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber. He flew 32 missions over France and Germany, including two on D-Day. Some of his honors included the Good Conduct Medal, EAME Ribbon with three Battle Stars, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He returned to his hometown of Southborough, Mass., and worked in and eventually bought the service station there. He joined the volunteer fire department and responded whenever the alarm sounded. He courted Doris Lent of Maynard, Mass., and married in 1947. Soon John and Natalie were born to the young family. When our Dad realized there was more room for advancement in the West, he packed up his family and moved to California. He found work at McDonald Douglas Aircraft and continued his search for a break in the fire service. Soon he was working for the Glendale Fire Department as a fireman, and daughters Gail and Donna joined the happy little family. Later he was a captain in the Downey Fire Department. In 1961, he accepted the position of chief with the Lompoc Fire Department, where he found great joy in bringing a professional approach to the fire service. During this time, he created the Fire Service program at Alan Hancock College, a program known for its excellence, which survives him. His efforts in the fire service have inspired many to be the very best they can be. At least eight men who have been influenced by him have gone on to become fire chiefs, another of his legacies. In 1968, his beloved wife, Doris, died. He married again in 1969 to Donna Harrigan. His career took them to Vallejo, Calif., where he served as chief - he retired in 1973. They were blessed with a son, Adrian, and daughter, Sonja, and in 1977, they settled in Morro Bay. He was a familiar figure, and served on the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, Morro Bay City Council and St. Peter''s Episcopal Church in many roles. He initiated the first Independence Day fireworks show on the football field at Morro Bay High School in 1986. Many people knew him as the Bernardoz ice cream man. His shop was on Main Street from 1985 to 1995, and he loved to talk with all his friends who visited him to view the World War II mementos while munching their ice cream. He entered Morro Bay politics and served on the City Council. He found time to enjoy playing in the County Band, the White Caps and his own Morro Bay German Band. John leaves behind a loving family including his wife of 41 years, Donna; sister, Barbara of Westboro, Mass.; daughters Natalie Curry of Lompoc, Gail Goodhue of Morro Bay, Donna Fancher of Shingle Springs, Calif., and Sonja Baker of Encinitas, Calif.; son, Adrian and his fiancé Britiany Cargill and little Avery of Atascadero; and grandsons Justin Curry of Lompoc and David Goodhue of Morro Bay. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; brothers Lawrence and Adrian; and son, John. A service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010, at St. Peter''s by the Sea Episcopal Church, 545 Shasta Ave. in Morro Bay. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Peter''s Episcopal Church or the National Parkinson''s Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5018. Good-bye, Dad. Farewell, Friend and Mentor. We love you, Chief. We will miss you very much. You have been an inspiration to all of us. We love you for the courage you have showed us and for the lessons of service to others.