Christopher William Baker

Christopher William Baker, age 46, passed away unexpectedly at his family home in Essex, VT on Tuesday April 2, 2024, from a pre-existing heart condition. Chris, son of Christina and William Baker, was born in Bennington, VT on May 10, 1977. Chris received his education from elementary through high school in the town of St. Albans, VT, proudly graduating from Bellows Free Academy in 1995. After graduation, he attended the University of Vermont, graduating in May 2000 with a bachelor's degree in small business management. He met his wife and soulmate Sandra Trotter in 2002, and it was love at first sight-at least through Chris's eyes. He confidently announced to his friends and specifically his brother, "She's the one." Chris and Sandra joined in marriage on May 30, 2004.
As a young adult, Chris was a staple on Church Street in Burlington, working for several years at a handful of local establishments. He was a natural behind the bar, greeting and meeting friends and strangers alike, making them feel welcome upon arrival. While working the bar scene in Burlington, Chris was also employed by the Vermont Expos minor league baseball team, maintaining the historic grounds of Centennial field. Chris transitioned naturally to a position in sales, pursuing a career in digital marketing for several companies until he and his eventual business partner, Ben Driver, established and grew Driven Marketing, which proudly serves businesses throughout northern Vermont.
Chris was a lot of things to a lot of people but, most importantly, to the Essex community, he was "Coach Baker." He loved coaching every sport at every level but took the most pride in coaching teams that had one of his daughters on the roster. Most recently, Chris coached and led the Essex Girls Varsity softball program. He had the opportunity last season to coach two of his three daughters on the same team in the same season-one to remember. Chris was more than an athletic coach; he was a life coach and his players adored him. They appreciated and acknowledged the lessons he taught through sport and are better people as a result.
Chris was the life of every party and if he was not, you were not at the same party. He loved country music and owned songs as he sang them, knowing all the lyrics, belting them out in an emotional and enthusiastic manner. He sounded best when he was in the shower, the acoustics transformed his untrained voice into a combination of Garth Brooks and Zach Bryan.
Chris loved tradition and was a true sentimentalist. These rituals and special moments mattered to him, and he insisted on bringing family and friends together to celebrate everything. Beneath that tough, intimidating façade, he was all heart. He could and would unforgivingly cry on a moment's notice, bearing his soul for all to see.
Chris was a "girl-dad." He was the best girl-dad ever; just ask his daughters. He challenged them to reach their full potential and was proud of everything they accomplished and will remain proud watching over them as they continue to achieve amazing things, carrying on his gift for them.
He leaves us all a precious gift, his loving and adorable family beginning with his best friend and wife Sandra, and his three incredibly talented and beautiful daughters, Maisie, Anna, and Ryan. Chris is also survived by his father, William Baker of St. Albans, VT; his brother, Jeremy Baker and wife Stacy, including their children Tommy and Laurel of Londonderry, VT; sister-in-law, Amy Hillman and her sons, Will, Wesley, and Henry of Plymouth, MA; brother-in-law, Richard Trotter of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; in-laws, Wayne and Dori Trotter and Patricia Trotter, all residing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; many aunts and uncles; and an abundance of loving cousins.
Chis was pre-deceased by his grandparents, Thomas and Maisie Dockum of Bennington, VT and Robert and Wilma Baker of Cape Cod, MA. Robert and Wilma were responsible for Chris's love affair with Cape Cod. They spent their final years in St. Albans, where Chris and Grandpa Bob could be found discussing sports, specifically the Boston Red Sox, whom they both loved passionately.
Sadly, Chris was pre-deceased by his mother Christina Mae Dockum Baker. Chris was the apple of his mother's eye and, following her passing, Chris shared with his brother Jeremy that he felt like "a sailboat in the wind that lost its rudder." Chris and his mother shared a special bond that was obvious to all that were fortunate enough to know them.
There are too many networks of special friends to mention but we would like to acknowledge them collectively-they know who they are. Finally, we want to thank Chris's mentor, Dan Marlow of St. Albans, VT, who coached and led Chris's 1994 BFA soccer team to the Vermont State Championship-a proud achievement that he may have mentioned to everyone a time or two. "Mr. Marlow," currently the Athletic Director at BFA St. Albans, was a guiding light in Chris's life. Dan, we love you and everything you did for and taught Chris, our father, husband, brother, son, and friend. He was a better man because of you.
A Memorial Service will be held at The Champlain Valley Exposition on Wednesday April 10, 2024. Blue Ribbon Pavilion, 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, Vermont 05452. The service will begin at 3:30 pm and will be broadcast live at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84666581097?pwd=aHkrekg3a1NLaFprM0h0OGpFYkFOUT09
Meeting ID: 846 6658 1097
Passcode: 314159
Following the service, a celebration will be held at The Black Flannel Restaurant, located at the Essex Experience located adjacent to Hannaford's Grocery Store beginning at 5:30pm.
The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com