Obituary of Richard Alan

Richard Alan Baker, 66 SUMMERFIELD, Fla. - Richard Alan Baker 'Dick' passed away peacefully on July 25, 2013 after a long series of health issues at Tuscany House hospice in Summerfield, Fla. He was born in Portland on Jan. 6, 1947 to Ernest and Mildred Baker. He attended Portland schools graduating from Deering High School in 1965 and the University of Maine in Portland in 1970. He later received his Masters of Science, Vocational Education from Louisiana State University. He joined the Air Force Reserves and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating college, he married Donna Cohen and worked for Shell Oil in South Portland. He worked for Shell in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, and Louisiana as a purchasing analyst. After working for Shell for 35 years, he retired to Summerfield, Fla. He was proud of many of his accomplishments at Shell and also his teaching of courses at LSU. He continuously looked for new ideas and business opportunities. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He kept everyone informed of their progress and successes. He came from a large family and was always excited to have the opportunity to join them at family celebrations and just summer visits. He loved volunteering and was very active in the new beginnings of Temple Shalom near Summerfield and was looking forward to being able to go back to volunteering his time with them. He loved volunteering and was very active in many fundraising activities especially those for fighting cancer. He is survived by his wife Donna, brothers Jim (Cindy) Baker and Jay (Kim) Baker of Portland and sisters Marlene (Joseph) Cohen of Boynton Beach, Fla. and Linda Baker-Bojarczuk (David) of Burlington, Mass.; sons David (Nicole) of Arizona and Seth (Mandy) of Texas; and grandchildren, Danielle, Brett, Alyssa, and Callie; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at the Levey Chapel on 471 Deering Ave in Portland on Sunday July 28, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. immediately followed by interment at Mount Sinai Cemetery on Hicks Street in Portland. Shiva will be observed at the home of Jim and Cindy Baker at 45 Jeanne Street, Portland through Tuesday. Visiting hours will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Arrangements by The Jewish Funeral Home, Portland. Donations may be made to: The Mildred and Ernest Baker Center Day Camp Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Community Alliance 57 Ashmont Street Portland, ME 04103