Thomas Baker

Thomas (Tom) John Baker Schenectady - Thomas (Tom) John Baker died on April 11, 2024 after a short illness, surrounded by his family.
A resident of Schenectady for more than 50 years, Tom was a founding faculty member at SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) and a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Born in Buffalo, New York, Tom was the son of the late Frederick Baker and Charlotte (Lysko) Baker. He lived in the Buffalo area for 22 years. After graduating from Tonawanda High School, he joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1956 to 1959. He received a B.A. in education from SUNY College at Buffalo, an M.A. in History from the University of Rochester, and an M.A. in Sociology from SUNY Albany. He taught sociology and history at Greece Olympia High School in Greece, New York, from 1963-1969.
He joined SCCC when it opened in 1969, where he taught sociology and history until he retired as a full professor in 2003. He was named Professor Emeritus in 2004. Throughout his long career in education, Tom received the Schenectady County Jaycees Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Young Educator and the State University of New York's "Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching." He was the first recipient of SCCC's Excellence in Teaching Award. Tom had been a member of the American Sociological Association and the Eastern Sociological Society. He was an archivist for the New York State Sociological Association for 15 years, receiving their award for Excellence/Distinguished Service.
He was also active in several local community organizations. He was a founding member and served on the Board of Directors of the Bridge Drug Rehabilitation Center; a founding member and served on the Board of Directors of the Rotterdam Youth Soccer Program; and the first Coordinator of Activities for the Rotterdam Senior Citizens Association. Tom also served as a Parent-Child Communications Workshop Facilitator for Planned Parenthood and was a Schenectady County Council of the Arts Representative on the Capital District Arts Decentralization Committee, among others. Yet Tom's many professional and community achievements paint only a partial portrait of the man.
He was a highly regarded professor of the social sciences, but perhaps more importantly, he was an avid student of life. His curious mind and boundless positivity, intellect, joie de vivre, generosity, compassion and wry sense of humor made him a wellspring of wisdom, love and guidance for the Baker family and its many extended branches, as well as a sought-after companion and confidante of those who had the privilege of calling Tom their friend.
Tom celebrated the arts in all forms, especially live theater, music, movies and literature. A nature lover and YMCA lifeguard, he spent countless summer vacations camping with his family in the Adirondack Mountains, often teaching his grandchildren how to dive, swim or fish. He was proud of his Polish-American roots and maintained lifelong ties to the city of Buffalo. As an example of his "hope springs eternal" philosophy, he was a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, faithfully watching every game.
Tom also had a spirit of adventure that found him setting foot in often far-flung destinations. In his later years, he traveled extensively with his wife and other family members and friends, visiting all 50 U.S. states and checking off Oklahoma last with a visit to a museum dedicated to one of his heroes, Woody Guthrie. His numerous international journeys took him to the U.K., Italy, France, Greece, Norway, Poland, China, Peru, Israel, Egypt, Australia and Belize, among many others.
Tom was predeceased by his best friend and wife of 48 years, Patricia (Littrell), his son William Baker, and his daughter Lorene Baker-Acquaotta.
He is survived by his daughters Michele Baker, Bradenton, FL, and Sharon Baker (Peter Moore), Charlotte, NC; daughter-in-law Sandra Avant, Bradenton, FL, and son-in-law Robert Acquaotta, Manahawkin, NJ. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Ryan Acquaotta (Karly Rodriguez), Caitlyn Acquaotta, Keegan Acquaotta, Emily Moore, Colin Moore (Rebecca LaMaire), Sarah Moore, Cameron Baker and Zackary Baker; and by his great-grandson Riley Acquaotta-Rodriguez and special nephew Michel Littrell.
He is also predeceased by his brothers Donald Baker and Robert Baker.
A celebration of Tom's remarkable life will be held this summer.
Contributions may be made in his memory to the Thomas and Patricia Baker Human Services Award at SUNY Schenectady Foundation (SCCC), 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12305 or the Patricia and Thomas Baker Patient Assistance Fund, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, 26 Bleecker Street, NY, NY, 10012.