QUEENSBURY – Charles R. Baker, 96 , of Longview Drive in Queensbury, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, at the Pines Healthcare Center and Rehab in Glens Falls where he received outstanding care.
Born on December 12, 1918, in Hudson Falls, he was the son of the late Harry W. and Charlotte (Carhart) Baker.
In April of 1944 Charles married Elma E. Benton Baker with whom he had two children. Elma passed away in April 1980.
He married his second wife, Kathryn Carney Von Schenk in December 1981, and she passed way in August of 2000.
Charles graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1936. At Ithaca College, he received his Bachelor Science Degree in 1941 and his Master Science Degree in 1953. At Teachers’ College of Columbia University he participated in Advanced Study 36 hours beyond his M.S. with a major in Physical Education
Charles worked from 1941-1942 and 1946-1947 for Washington Irving H. S., Tarrytown, NY where he was Director of Athletics, Head Football Coach, and a teacher of Physical Education from 1942-1946. He served in the U. S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer, Special Service Officer, Supervisor of Divisional Swimming Program and Physical Reconditioning Officer.
He continued his teaching career at Bergenfield High School in New Jersey as Chairman of the High School Health & Physical Education Department, System Director Health, Safety & Physical Education, Director of Athletics, Head Football Coach (14 years), Head Basketball Coach (five years) and Head Baseball Coach (nine years). From 1971-1982, he was System Director of Health, Safety & Physical Education. The school system included five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, with a staff of 25 health and physical education teachers.
For 20 Years, Charles was swimming pool director, waterfront director in both day camp and overnight camps as well as Head Counselor at Camp Wigwam, Harrison, ME.
Charles was involved in Ivy League Football, Little League Baseball, Boys Club Basketball and was also active in the Football Parents Club.
His many honors and awards included the Hudson Falls High School 1st Team All Northern Conference in Football and Basketball, Ithaca College two time Associated Press All East Selection in football and honorable mention to Little All American Team in Football, Ithaca’s first such honoree. He was presented The New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Association Award for outstanding contributions to the coaching profession in 1968. He also received the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership in Physical Education at Ithaca College in 1969. He was named to the 1930-1939 All Decade Football Team at Ithaca College. In 1971 he was named to Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame. In 1972 he was involved in the NJ Directors of Athletics Association and received the Award for Dedication, Service & Loyalty. In 2013, he was inducted into the Bergenfield High School Hall of Fame for coaching.
While residing in New Jersey, Charles was very active in the First Congregational Church, serving on the Board of Deacons and as Captain of the many canvassing teams as well as a member of the Board of Trustees.
He served as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of the East Bergen Teachers Federal Credit Union, now known as Paragon Federal Credit. He was chairman of that union from 1985 to 1988.
In addition to his parents and wives, Charles was predeceased by a sister, Edna Baker Miller and a brother, Harry W. Baker Jr.
He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Baker Tritch and her husband, Ronald and his son, C. Glenn Baker and his wife, Leslie; a sister, Eleanor Baker Doty and her husband, Andrew; brother, Robert K. Baker and his wife, Jacqueline; and several nieces and a nephew.
Services were private and under the direction of the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame Ithaca College Ithaca, NY 14850 or a charity of your choice.
One of the finest gentlemen I had the privilege of knowing. As a student (BHS 1959) and as an adult. Thank you Glen for always bringing the Coach to our reunions. He will be missed.
.
Please extend my condolences to the Baker family. I learned so much teaching and coaching under his supervision and was honored to be inducted into the Bergenfield HS Hall of Fame with him in 2013. I`m so glad I got to visit with him after so many years and thank him for all he did to affect my professional life. I will never forget him !
R.I.P. to a great coach, educator and administrator. All those who played for the Mighty Mites through the years will never forget him. His bark and underlying humor were still evident as late as his induction in the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame two years ago.
R.I.P. COACH YOU WERE A GREAT MAN . JOB WELL DONE !
Although I did not know Mr. Charles Baker, when I read his obituary I recognized his name immediately. My father, William See died in 2009 in Queensbury, and at that time I received a touching response from him. Apparently, he had coached my dad in football at Washington Irving HS in Tarrytown, NY in 1941 and 1942. He must have remembered the name and he sent a heartfelt condolence mentioning that he was happy to hear that Dad had lived a full and successful life. It is too bad that they did not know that they were living in the same town. I will always remember that kindness, he must have been a wonderful man. Sincere sympathy to your family.
What a wonderful example you have been for so many of us. I am thankful to have known you. Good bless.
What a wonderful man Charlie was. He knew my parents, Chip and Eleanor Robinson, from their years together at Ithaca. They shared a love for Ithaca and returned for many reunions. Your Dad always kept in touch with my folks and they loved it when he lived in Queensbury and they could get together. He and Abbey were quite the pair! My Dad passed away in 2004 but Charlie always kept in touch with Mom, even after moving to Rhinebeck. A couple years ago our Christmas card was returned and I knew things were not good. When I called down to his place in Rhinebeck they would not give me any information of his whereabouts,saying he might be in a nursing home and I assumed the worse. I was so surprised to see his obit in the Post Star and disappointed that I didn’t know he was back here where I could have gone to visit him. Depending on when he moved here, I could have taken Mom to see him. My Mom also passed away ……on March 16 of this year.
I cannot tell you how much my folks enjoyed your father and how highly they thought of him. He was such a special, kind man. My thoughts are with you at this time.
RIP. To a great coach and a wonderful man who will never be forgotten.