Gilbert D. Baker, Jr, 82, of Whitman, died suddenly on July 17 at South Shore Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. Born in Dorchester, in 1936, he was the second son of Gilbert D. Baker, Sr. and Dorothy (Ericson) Baker.
He graduated from Northeastern University in 1959, was an Air Force Reservist serving a term of duty when his reserve unit was called into active duty in 1961 to Falstaff Germany. Following his discharge, he worked many years in banking administration and served as Human Resources Vice President at the old Plymouth Home National Bank. In 1990 he opened his own consulting company, Diversified Personnel Services, serving multiple financial institutions until his retirement in 2014.
His second greatest love was serving the community as a football coach for 50 years, first by developing the youth football program in Brockton, then as founding father of West Bridgewater Youth Football Association and later as an Assistant Coach at West Bridgewater High School. But the achievement of which he was most proud was his family.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years Karen (Rothera) Baker, and five children Donald Baker, Lynne Jackson, Deborah Gorman, Tracey McCarthy and her husband Patrick, Craig Baker, his first wife, Margaret (Wood) Baker and eight grandchildren, Alexandra, Leigh Ann, and Daniel Jackson, Ryan Gorman, Shannon, Kerryn, Devyn and Connor McCarthy.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate his life on Monday July 23rd at 10:00AM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, July 22 from 4-7 PM. Burial will take place at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.
Memorial donations may be made to the West Bridgewater High School Gridiron Club and/or the West Bridgewater High School Athletic Booster Club c/o WBMSHS, 155 West Center Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.