Michel Baik

BAIK Michel Baik, age 49, of Bridgeport, beloved husband of Laurie Freer Baik and devoted father to Andrew, Thomas, and Margaret; died heroically in the line of duty as a Bridgeport Firefighter on Saturday, July, 24, 2010. Born in Bridgeport, he was the son of Farid and Mary (Bal) Baik. Michel was a graduate of Central High School Class of 1978. Michel found his true passion in life when he joined the Bridgeport Fire Department in 2007. He proudly served as a Firefighter and was assigned to Ladder 11 which was stationed at Engine 7 Ladder 11 on Ocean Terrace. He was a member of Union Local 834 and the Bridgeport Fire Department Color Guard. Prior to becoming a Firefighter, Michel was a dedicated and admired computer skills instructor at Career Resources, a non-profit workforce development organization, where he taught computer skills to the unemployed. He was a distribution manager at the Connecticut Post for many years. He also was a Systems Operator at Norelco in Stamford and a Senior Computer Operator at Alcon Data in Bridgeport. As a devoted father, he participated fully in every aspect of his children's lives. He coached JV basketball and was active in the Boy Scouts, chaperoned countless school trips, and sat through hours of school plays, sporting events, and dance recitals. The kids knew Dad was there when they heard his signature whistle at the end of every performance. Michel was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bridgeport and was active in many church organizations since his youth. Michel will always be the undisputed "Mr. S.O.Y.O. 1987" Michel was an avid sports fan. He loved his Mets and Jets (J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!). He played on the Central High School football team and played on various softball and basketball teams throughout his life. Most recently, he was a member of the Bridgeport Fire Department softball team. Above all, Michel will forever be remembered as a teddy bear of a guy with a great sense of humor and a kind and caring heart. In addition to his wife of 22 years and their three children, Michel is survived by his mother Mary Baik of Bridgeport, a sister Dr. Rania Baik and her husband, Robert Dion of Brooklyn; his mother-in-law Frances Freer of Shelton; his sisters and brothers-in-law Frances Freer, Susan and John O'Neil, Pete and Jennifer Freer, Beth and Luke Frazza, Patrick and Kim Freer. He was predeceased by his father, Farid and his father-in-law, Peter A. Freer, Jr. Michel was part of a large extended family and was a loving and caring uncle, nephew, and cousin. His 12 nieces and nephews; Kathryn, Spencer (his Godson), Meghan, Erin, Colleen, Peter, Henry, Olivia, Matthew, Annie, Christa, and Patrick; adored their Uncle Mich. He was like a son to his maternal uncles, Father Deacon Sami Bal (his wife Susan), George Bal, Haysam Bal (his wife Odette); his maternal aunts, Yvonne Barbar (her husband Foud). His paternal aunts Selma Dib, Lorraine Zabaneh (her husband Raja). Friends may call at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 4 to 8 p.m. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. MEETING DIRECTLY in St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, 5458 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Interment will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, 1740 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "The Baik Children Fund" in care of the Funeral Director. To light a virtual candle, visit us at www.abriola.com. "There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends." (John 15:13).