Obituary for Burlen Baker
Burlen Baker, 82, of Dalton, MA passed away July 18, 2021 at Albany Medical Center.
Born in Senath, Missouri on May 27, 1939 to Bryant and Madeline Mitchell Baker, he was a 1959 graduate of Wardell High School in Wardell, Missouri.
Mr. Baker was a United States Marine, having served during Viet Nam.
He married the former Madelaine A. Polumbo on November 19, 1966 in Canberra, Australia.
Mr. Baker was employed as a mechanic by the City of Pittsfield. He retired from the Fire Department in 2002 after 30 years of service. Concurrently, he worked as a security guard at Berkshire Medical Center, retiring from BMC in 2010. He was also a van driver for Central Berkshire Regional School District until 2018.
Baker enjoyed visiting with family and especially enjoyed bantering with his five grandchildren. He loved watching the grands play sports from pee wee leagues through high school.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Madelaine Baker of Dalton; a son, Burlen Baker, Jr., and wife Gretchen of Manchester, NH; daughter, Christine Roughley, of Dalton, MA; a brother, Vernon Baker and wife Kaye of Drummonds, TN; a sister, Nanny Lou Avery and husband Henry of Dexter, MO. Five grandchildren, Julie Baker, Evan Baker, Austin Roughley, Brandon Roughley, and Justin Roughley. He also leaves his sisters-in-law, Isobel Polumbo of North Adams, Barbara Carle and husband Richard of East Hanover, NJ, and Joan Desnoyers of Gardner, MA; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Donald Baker and three sisters, Joyce Baker, Annas Speaks, and Ruby Baker.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be private with burial in Ashuelot Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Jerry Polumbo Scholarship at Berkshire Community College, in care of Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, MA 01226.
Born in Senath, Missouri on May 27, 1939 to Bryant and Madeline Mitchell Baker, he was a 1959 graduate of Wardell High School in Wardell, Missouri.
Mr. Baker was a United States Marine, having served during Viet Nam.
He married the former Madelaine A. Polumbo on November 19, 1966 in Canberra, Australia.
Mr. Baker was employed as a mechanic by the City of Pittsfield. He retired from the Fire Department in 2002 after 30 years of service. Concurrently, he worked as a security guard at Berkshire Medical Center, retiring from BMC in 2010. He was also a van driver for Central Berkshire Regional School District until 2018.
Baker enjoyed visiting with family and especially enjoyed bantering with his five grandchildren. He loved watching the grands play sports from pee wee leagues through high school.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Madelaine Baker of Dalton; a son, Burlen Baker, Jr., and wife Gretchen of Manchester, NH; daughter, Christine Roughley, of Dalton, MA; a brother, Vernon Baker and wife Kaye of Drummonds, TN; a sister, Nanny Lou Avery and husband Henry of Dexter, MO. Five grandchildren, Julie Baker, Evan Baker, Austin Roughley, Brandon Roughley, and Justin Roughley. He also leaves his sisters-in-law, Isobel Polumbo of North Adams, Barbara Carle and husband Richard of East Hanover, NJ, and Joan Desnoyers of Gardner, MA; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Donald Baker and three sisters, Joyce Baker, Annas Speaks, and Ruby Baker.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be private with burial in Ashuelot Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Jerry Polumbo Scholarship at Berkshire Community College, in care of Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, MA 01226.