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Bruce Baker Obituary

Bruce Baker
of Owego, N.Y.
Bruce Baker, 87, of Owego, N.Y., passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at his home. He was born in Owego on April 26, 1920, the son of the late Edward and Bertha (Hickok) Baker. Bruce was predeceased by his sisters, Belle Baker, Nellie O'Brien; and brothers, Everett, Harold and DeWitt Baker. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Frieda Rudin Baker; his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Pam Baker, Midland, Tex.; his daughters, Donna Diles and Jim Vanderburg, Owego, Dale Williams and Lewis Specchio, Owego; his beloved grandchildren, Gary Bruce and Sheila Baker, Kimberly and Jim Hodges, Sandi and Tim Winters, Paige Williams, Gwenn and David Gooding, Wendi and Dale Hamm; his adored great-grandchildren, Tyson, Cody, Kyler, Brandon, Taylor, Megan, Lucas, Kaylie, Kelsie, Kourtnie, Alexandra; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ernie Rudin, Fritz and Pat Rudin, Marie Snyder, Alice Langhofer, Tillie Edson; his "kissing" cousin, Belle Brister; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and his very special friends at John's Fine Foods. Bruce was born a farmer, later working for Dalrymple Construction and Holmes and Raleigh Feed Company. He retired as foreman from Stakmore Company after 32 ½ years of service. Throughout his life, he also operated a slaughter house on the weekends with Charlie Truman, and worked at Owego Livestock sales barn every Thursday night. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose 1595, and the First Baptist Church of Owego. Bruce was also a lifelong member of the Owego Fire Department Company 4, joining in 1939 at the age of 19, and serving as Fire Chief from 1947 to 1948.
A Funeral Service will be held at Richards Funeral Home, Rte. 17c West, Owego, N.Y., on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. G. Terry Steenburg, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Tioga Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to Richards Funeral Home on Monday, November 12, 2007, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., and again from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Those wishing are asked to remember the First Baptist Church of Owego, Owego Emergency Squad, Owego Fire Police, Owego Fire Department or Lourdes Hospice in memory of Bruce Baker. Share your memories at www.RichardsFH.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Press & Sun-Bulletin on Nov. 10, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Baker

15 Entries

Diana Ford

November 13, 2007

Frieda and the entire Baker family, we were so sorry to hear of the loss of "Uncle Bruce". I have so many great memories of our families relaxing together, especially at Uncle Floyd's cabin. I think that Bruce was the only person that continued to use my childhood nickname each time we spoke..."Moonie" will always bring a smile to my face because of him. I am so sorry I was unable to see you all in person this week. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Diana, Jeff, Casey and Cole Ford

Peggy Lunn

November 13, 2007

Donna & Dale, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this time of your loss.
Sincerely, Peggy and Bob Lunn

Gwenn Gooding

November 12, 2007

Hello my name is Gwenn a.k.a. “George” I am the proud daughter of Dale a.k.a. “Speedy” the sister Paige a.k.a. “Nuscience”, the mother of great grand child Kelsie a.k.a. “Pete” and the great grand child Kourtnie a.k.a. “Chester” and the wife of David a.k.a. “Pecker Head”. As you can see Gramps loved to give “Nicknames”. You knew Gramps liked you if he gave you a nickname. The stories that I could tell. I work at the bank behind “Johns Fine Foods” Gramps special place to stop as he was “Quality Control”, I don’t really know what that title meant but all I do know is he got to sit on the register and tell everyone what they were doing wrong. One day I got a phone call from Bev saying that Gramps had fallen and they could not reach anyone and could I come over. When I got there Gramps was on a stretcher in the back of the ambulance, he had a cut on his nose and his glasses were bent up. I said to him Grampa are you okay? - what happened? His reply was “I was just trying to eat my pie and I tripped over that “god damn” parking block. This is just one of the memories I have about my Grampa. I could go on for ever with stories that I can remember, as I am sure many of you can too! The one story that I feel is the most special is this. Grampa has been a member of the Owego Fire Department and for as long as my daughters have been born he has signed them up for the special Christmas party with Santa. It was last year and we were all down at the Fire Station waiting for Santas arrival. When they announced that Santa had arrived and was coming through the door we were sitting with Gramps at a table close to the front of the station. Kids were running around screaming with excitement when Santa walked through the door. Santa was hugging the kids and trying to make his way back to where his chair was when out of the corner of his eye he spotted Grampa - Santa went over and shook Grampas hand and said “Well Hello Mr. Baker” my daughters eyes were as big as saucers. On our way home that day my youngest said to me “Wow Mommy, Pop Pop knows Santa?” I said yes Pop Pop has known Santa for 86 years. Those are the memories that I call “Priceless”.

Tom and Jackie Heenan

November 12, 2007

Dale and all the Baker family,
We are very sorry that we were unable to attend the services. Tom's Aunt Marion passed away the day after your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mike Valentino

November 12, 2007

Donna and Family,
I have to travel for work and may not be able to make it Monday night, so I just wanted to leave a quick note. I'll never forget how welcoming your Dad and Mom were when I came to visit you during your recooperation from Pneumonia. I drove by for 30 years and always wished I could be gardening and mowing the lawn like your Dad, when I'm his age. My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.

Norm & Fran Slocum

November 12, 2007

Bruce & I go way back to the rodeo days...Bruce was good to everyone, that's what we loved about him; no one could replace him. I enjoyed his stops at Moore Tire when he would pick on me. He teased Frannie if he saw her downtown and say, "Are you waiting on Normie again?" He was such fun. We will sure miss him...

Ron Joseph

November 12, 2007

Donna... I just heard about your dad, I did not know him but if he where like you I'm sure he was a good peerson. I can't attend the funeral as I go into back surgery Thuesday. I'll be thinking of you. Ron Joseph

Jack and Jean Knapp

November 12, 2007

To Frieda and Family.
I first met Bruce in 1952 working at Stakmore and I have always enjoyed seeing him and talking with him. We last saw him at your garage sale and he still had that great sense of humor. What a pleasure to have known him. We are sorry for your loss and you have our sympathy.

Eloise "Ellie" (& Kurt) Warner

November 12, 2007

Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to each of you in a very special way at this time of Bruce's passing. He was a very special,warm,humorous,kind, and loving man, and we will always remember sharing "Christmas-Cheer" each year in your home which he so loved ! I am so glad that both of you were able to attend my 80th Surprise Birthday Party at Dave and Kim's this past August.It was very special to have both of you there with me, and our families !
Ellie Warner (and family)

Diantha Root Okrepkie

November 11, 2007

Frieda, Gary, Donna and Dale,
I have thought of Bruce many times through the years and I am so glad that he had a long and happy life. Bruce is lucky to leave such a great legacy. And all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren are lucky to have had him in their lives. I remember all the fun times spent in your home when we were neighbors on North Avenue. My heart goes out to all of you. Bruce will be missed.

Ernest & Trudy (Gradel) Beebe

November 11, 2007

To Frieda and family, We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Bruce was always such a delight to meet and he remembered everyone with a twinkle in his eye. Please accept our sympathy.

norma and john matts

November 10, 2007

Blessings to you all... Bruce was a great friend , neighbor and a special man... he used to deal with us at the gas station and he picked on me still about my fear of needles, usually at the lab when we were there for blood work... he also told us of things to pick on Dr. K about and that was really fun... he is going to be really missed... thanks for sharing him with us...

Eileen Parker

November 10, 2007

The Lord's and Parker's Family want The Baker's Family to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

mary lynch

November 10, 2007

to all im sorry to hear of your loss,i didnt know him.just wanted to tell you im sorry for the loss of mr baker

Diane and Terry Szlucha

November 10, 2007

Mrs. Baker, Gary, Donna,Dale,and all family members; May God bless you in your loss. You have lost a wonderful man who was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was a great man, not just because of all the community things he was known for doing but also for the husband, father, brother, uncle and friend he was to everyone. He is indeed a free spirit now and will live on in your hearts and your memories. I pray that God gives you peace and comfort at this time. It is, indeed, a great loss. He is free to live eternally now, to live without the pain; free to rest in the hands of God until you meet again.

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