WEBSTER – Norman R. Baker, 82, passed away peacefully Friday, January 24, 2014 in the Transitional Care Unit at Hubbard Hospital in Webster surrounded by his loving family.
He leaves his wife of 60 years, Alice M. (Gorski) Baker; 2 daughters, Deborah A. Wood of Tampa, FL, and Patricia J. LaPlante and her husband Joseph LaPlante, Jr. of Lisbon Falls, ME; a son, Norman M. Baker and his wife Donna of North Grosvenordale, CT; 5 grandchildren, Jennette Wood, Heather LaPlante, Crystal Shepard and her husband Shawn, and Daniel and Tyler Baker; 2 great-grandsons, Anthony and Aaron; a brother, Donald Baker and his wife Barbara of Dudley; nephews and nieces.
He was born and raised in Dudley, the son of Mitchell and Rosemarie (Lachance) Baker. He graduated from Bartlett High School and was a resident of Webster since 1953. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard for 9 years.
Mr. Baker was employed by the Worcester County Sherriff’s Department for 25 years, retiring with the rank of first lieutenant for the Worcester County House of Corrections. He belonged to the Worcester County Sherriff’s Association. His fellow workers affectionately called him “Stormin’ Norman.”
He was a communicant of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and a former member of the Webster-Dudley Knights of Columbus Council #228. He was a member of the Webster-Dudley American Legion Post #184 and a life member of the PACC. A gun enthusiast, he belonged to the Singletary Rod and Gun Club and was a lifetime member of the NRA. He enjoyed reading, air shows and the outdoors.
Norman’s joy was the time he spent with his family at picnics, barbecues and traveling to Maine, Florida and Las Vegas.
The family wishes to thank the staff of TCU at Hubbard and the VNA Care Network.
The funeral will be held Monday, January 27, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 East Main Street. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 3:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday, January 26, in the funeral home. Donations in his name may be made either to St. Anne’s Elementary School Memorial Fund, 12 Day St., PO Box 818 or to the TCU at Hubbard, 340 Thompson Road, both in Webster, MA 01570.