Thomas James "TJ" Baker

Thomas James "TJ" Baker, age 69, passed away on October 31, 2025 from complications of Alzheimer's. He was the beloved husband of Eva (Kretschmar) Baker, who was steadfast by his side throughout his long illness. TJ was a man of impeccable integrity who truly embodied a life lived with enthusiasm and grace.
Born on October 4, 1956, in Boston MA, TJ was the oldest of 7 children born to Maureen and Jim Baker. Growing up in Cambridge, MA, his younger siblings looked up to him as the talented brother who was always doing something interesting. Attending Buckingham Browne & Nichols School as a K-12 "Lifer", TJ showed an early aptitude for reading, photography, and sailing. He also had a wry sense of humor, and in high school wrote a letter to the brusque, intimidating football coach suggesting the coach establish a tiddlywinks team. Apparently, the coach had a glimmer of humor as well, because that letter was pinned to his office wall for many years!
TJ attended Brown University in Providence, RI where he was a double major, earning a BS in Civil Engineering and a BA in English in 1981. After graduation, he embarked on his life's passion of teaching. He initially taught Chemistry at St George's School in Middletown, RI, before returning to Brown to earn an MA in Education. TJ then went on to teach English, which was his favorite subject since childhood, at three additional boarding schools: Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, RI; Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH; and Brooks School in North Andover, MA. It was while TJ was on the faculty at Portsmouth Abbey that he met Eva Kretschmar, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI, who would later become his wife. Upon being introduced by a mutual friend, TJ showed his gallant side by kissing Eva on the hand! After a four-year courtship, TJ and Eva were married in 1998. They accepted dual teaching positions at Brooks School – TJ in the English Department and Eva in the Art Department. TJ was a gifted teacher who shared with his students his limitless curiosity, love of literary discussion, and dedication to crafting well-written essays. In addition to his academic responsibilities, TJ coached multiple sports at each school; over the years, this included sailing, cycling, cross-country, and rowing crew. As a heartfelt tribute in 2020, a group of Brooks alumni, including TJ's former students and crew team members, gifted a new crew shell to the school; they launched it ceremoniously with TJ's name prominently on the bow.
TJ treasured many friendships from all periods of his life. When his friends reminisce, they invariably tell a "TJ Story" that captures his quirky and lovable nature. One trait all can agree upon is that TJ regarded deadlines as mere suggestions and that his concept of time was one of infinite elasticity. For example, one summer TJ invited friends for a dinner party and was just heading to the grocery store 30 minutes prior; he was confident that half an hour would magically stretch to accommodate driving, shopping, cooking, showering and getting dressed! Speaking of clothes, TJ's sartorial style included shirts tailored by Turnbull & Asser in London and the ownership of three tuxedos. He loved social events, academic life, and activities related to his hobbies; he owned multiple outfits and gear for every possible occasion, each item neatly tagged with the date of purchase. Saying that TJ had hobbies hardly does justice to the depth with which he approached his interests. He wouldn't just purchase a piece of stereo equipment or a kitchen gadget – instead, he'd first do extensive research on all aspects of the subject. In addition to being an audiophile and an accomplished chef, TJ enjoyed celestial navigation, target shooting, clocks, cycling, fountain pens, single-malt Scotch, skiing, and Ukrainian egg decorating. (And that wasn't even a complete list…) Of all his numerous pursuits, TJ found the most joy in sailing, expressing good-natured disdain for engine-powered "stinkpots". He skillfully filled any role onboard a sailboat, whether it was navigator, helmsman, crew, cook, mechanic, or deck swabber. In the case of celestial navigation, TJ not only owned his own sextant but understood the theory underpinning sight reductions. TJ's breadth of sailing experience earned him berths on 3 trans-Atlantic crossings, numerous races to Bermuda, and decades of cruising the New England coast.
It was in 2014, while on the faculty at Brooks School, that TJ's teaching career was cut short by the diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 57. Over the subsequent 11 years, this incurable disease gradually robbed TJ of his ability to speak, his memory, and his motor skills. Eva focused on supporting TJ throughout his journey, eventually giving up her own teaching career to become his full-time caretaker. Despite the inexorable advance of symptoms, TJ never indulged in self-pity or anger; he retained his affable, gracious nature to the end. The family particularly wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Ayer Valley Rehab and Nursing in Ayer, MA, who kept TJ safe and comfortable during his last year.
TJ is survived by his wife, Eva; his sister Emily Black (John) and their two children, Sarah and Lauren; his brother Paul Baker; his brother Crit Baker (Nancy, nee Hickmott) and their two children, Stephen (Katie, nee Hancock ) and Maggie; his sister Amy Baker (Skip Pile) and their daughter Molly Pile; his sister Annie Baker and her three children, Caroline Atwood, Ted Atwood, and Roddy Atwood; and his brother Nathaniel Baker (Heidi, nee Chang) and their son Atticus. TJ is predeceased by his parents Maureen and Jim Baker, and by his nephew Nicholas Atwood.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life in Maine during the summer of 2026. In memory of TJ, donations to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) would be sincerely appreciated.