Obituary of William R. Baker

Pine City: Age 88, passed away at his home on Sunday, August 22, 2021. Bill was born and raised in Elmira the son of Walter and Irene (Leary) Baker. His wife Patricia (Emmons) Baker predeceased him on October 6, 2017. Bill is also predeceased by his sister and brothers-in-law Mary T. and John Harnas and Norman Ferris. Surviving Bill are his daughters, Deborah M. Baker, PhD of Terre Haute IN; Donna J. Hubbard, Major USAR Retired of Hendersonville NC with her husband Brian Hubbard, Lt. Col. US Air Force Retired; Katrinia A. Baker, RPh of Pine City; grandchildren, Keith Hubbard and Amanda Hubbard, DPT; sister Joann Ferris of Horseheads; nieces and nephew, Nancy Dickerson of Watkins Glen, Kay Baldwin, PhD of California, Patricia Eisenhart of Watkins Glen, David Ferris of New Jersey and Julie L'Amoreaux of Horseheads. Bill was a veteran of the US Air Force serving from 1952 – 1956 and was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He had a great love for the outdoors. Bill was an avid gardener and stream fisherman. He was involved for many years with the Seeley Creek Watershead Drainage Committee. Bill enjoyed studying history with WW II being his favorite topic. He was a tour guide for many years at the National Warplane Museum in Big Flats. Bill was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary's Church where he served on the parish council, was a eucharistic minister and lector. Bill was an engineer, working, and retiring, from Hardinge Inc. with over 30 years of service. While at Hardinge, Bill designed a machine collet and was awarded a patent for his work. Bill was always a hard worker. While working full time and raising his three daughters with his wife Pat, Bill attended night school and earned his Bachelor's degree from Elmira College. Bill's greatest love was his family. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira. A livestream of the Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). Masks are required at both the funeral home and church. Interment, with committal prayers and military honors, will then take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Bill with a donation to either, Holy Family Catholic School, 421 Fulton Street, Elmira NY 14904, or Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904.