Obituary for Barry Warner Baker
Barry Warner Baker of Enfield, CT left us on March 24, 2022 after an amazing 84 years on this planet.
Born in Springfield, MA on October 1, 1937, Barry excelled in many roles in life: therapist, warrior, inventor, pilot, carpenter, mentor, electrician, scholar, scientist, plumber, philosopher. He defied any attempt to encapsulate his life in an obituary.
Barry was predeceased by his mother, Barbara Warner Baker (1912-2017). His memory is preserved by his partner, Kathryn Young; son, David Warner Baker, daughter-in-law Marcia, and grandsons Warner and Griffon of Belmont, CA; daughter, Deborah Bari Baker and grandchildren Levi and Megan, of Miami, FL; sister Bonnie Baker of Springfield, MA; sister Betsy Pillitteri and husband Frank of Enfield; sister Beverly O’Connell of Cape Cod, MA; sister Beryl Daley and husband Kevin of Cape Cod, MA; and so many incredible nieces and nephews.
In Barry’s battle with cancer, he greatly appreciated the wonderful staff of Trinity Health, and his expert treatment by Dr. Jaykumar Thumar.
Barry devoted his scholarship to many institutions of learning, but of those, his fondest memories were at the University of Michigan where he earned his Masters of Social Work. He conquered the skies as a pilot in the Air Force, rising to the rank of Major; and explored the depths as a certified SCUBA instructor. He spent decades of his life as a psychiatric social worker with the Community Child Guidance Clinic while also dedicating himself to his private practice, Therapy Associates, retiring at age 83. In 1967, he used his craftsmanship to build the house he would live in for the rest of his life on Shaker Pines Lake, though he never really stopped building new parts of the home. Decades later, his design and construction skills led to creation of the floating platform “Gazeboat,” provoking the awe of neighbors as he piloted the craft around the entire lake. Barry was an adjunct professor with the University of Connecticut. He owned Beechcraft 1958L and loved to share the majesty of flight with family and friends. Even as a septuagenarian he rode his motorcycle to work. He gave personal names to all of his computers; “Phigment” was his final machine. Barry loved to read, especially books about American history. He loved Scruffie, his faithful Cairn Terrier.
A private service involving family will be held at a future date.
Never in this Universe was there or will there ever be a person with such myriad skills, knowledge, experiences, and loved ones.
Barry wouldn’t have wanted flowers sent. Instead, hug a loved one. Appreciate their presence in your life. And remember Barry.
Born in Springfield, MA on October 1, 1937, Barry excelled in many roles in life: therapist, warrior, inventor, pilot, carpenter, mentor, electrician, scholar, scientist, plumber, philosopher. He defied any attempt to encapsulate his life in an obituary.
Barry was predeceased by his mother, Barbara Warner Baker (1912-2017). His memory is preserved by his partner, Kathryn Young; son, David Warner Baker, daughter-in-law Marcia, and grandsons Warner and Griffon of Belmont, CA; daughter, Deborah Bari Baker and grandchildren Levi and Megan, of Miami, FL; sister Bonnie Baker of Springfield, MA; sister Betsy Pillitteri and husband Frank of Enfield; sister Beverly O’Connell of Cape Cod, MA; sister Beryl Daley and husband Kevin of Cape Cod, MA; and so many incredible nieces and nephews.
In Barry’s battle with cancer, he greatly appreciated the wonderful staff of Trinity Health, and his expert treatment by Dr. Jaykumar Thumar.
Barry devoted his scholarship to many institutions of learning, but of those, his fondest memories were at the University of Michigan where he earned his Masters of Social Work. He conquered the skies as a pilot in the Air Force, rising to the rank of Major; and explored the depths as a certified SCUBA instructor. He spent decades of his life as a psychiatric social worker with the Community Child Guidance Clinic while also dedicating himself to his private practice, Therapy Associates, retiring at age 83. In 1967, he used his craftsmanship to build the house he would live in for the rest of his life on Shaker Pines Lake, though he never really stopped building new parts of the home. Decades later, his design and construction skills led to creation of the floating platform “Gazeboat,” provoking the awe of neighbors as he piloted the craft around the entire lake. Barry was an adjunct professor with the University of Connecticut. He owned Beechcraft 1958L and loved to share the majesty of flight with family and friends. Even as a septuagenarian he rode his motorcycle to work. He gave personal names to all of his computers; “Phigment” was his final machine. Barry loved to read, especially books about American history. He loved Scruffie, his faithful Cairn Terrier.
A private service involving family will be held at a future date.
Never in this Universe was there or will there ever be a person with such myriad skills, knowledge, experiences, and loved ones.
Barry wouldn’t have wanted flowers sent. Instead, hug a loved one. Appreciate their presence in your life. And remember Barry.