Fred Baker. Courtesy of Burdette Parks.Born: July 28, 1939
Died: November 22, 2002
Married: Karen DeHond
Children: Kristina Marie Au, Carl Edward Baker
Fred Baker was a musician and a music teacher who taught in Saranac Lake schools from 1972 to 1997. He was also a conductor on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad,
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November 25, 2002
Fred Carl Baker
SARANAC LAKE Fred Carl Baker of Saranac Lake, died suddenly of heart failure on Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 at St Peter's Hospital in Albany. Born in Granville on July 28, 1939, he was the son of Edward Baker and Rose Viau Baker.
He served in the United States Army Band from 1957 to 1960. He studied music at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam and graduated with a degree in music education.
He married Karen DeHond in Rochester in 1965.
While in Rochester, he taught music in the Wheatland-Chili School District and the Fairport Central School District. He studied at the Eastman School of Music as well and played in the Chuck Mangione Band.
In 1972, he moved with his wife and their daughter Kristina to Saranac Lake where he served the Saranac Lake Central School District from 1972 to 1997 as the instrumental band director. He was the founder of the 52nd Street Band, which has entertained people in the North Country since 1980 with swing and jazz music. Upon retirement, he continued to play with numerous small groups and the Wally Siebel Big Band. It was his great joy to serve as conductor on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad,
Fred was a man who could be trusted equally to say what was on his mind, to provide a laugh and to engender a feeling of safety. He influenced students, not only in their music, but n their whole lives. His extraordinary gift as a musician affected all who knew him. The mellow strains of his sax will continue to echo down-the the streets of Saranac Lake and through the halls of the school he served for 25 years and reverberate in the hearts of those who loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen of Saranac Lake; his daughter Kristina Marie Au and her husband Timothy of San Diego; a son, Carl Edward Baker of San Francisco; a sister, Joyce Baker of Pawlet, Vt.; a grandson, Alexander Jordan Au of San Diego and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William McCabe.
There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are through the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at the Union Depot in Saranac Lake on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow at the Depot. Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the Fred C. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will be established. Checks may be sent to the funeral home.
