James R. Baker

Greenfield, Massachusetts
James R. Baker, 61, a resident of Barton Road, died Sunday evening, August 7, 2016 at home, following a period of declining health, with his loving wife Joan at his side.  
A native of Greenfield, Jim was born on December 10, 1954 to Joseph J. and Constance M. (Cray) Baker and was educated in Erving Public Schools, later Greenfield Public Schools and was a graduate of Greenfield High School in the Class of 1973. He furthered his education by attending Greenfield Community College.
Jim was employed for over 30 years as a realtor, most recently with the Coldwell Banker-Upton Massamont Agency.  He married the former Joan Nothdurft on July 22, 1978 in Turners Falls, MA and they celebrated their 38^th anniversary this past month. An avid boater, Jim and Joan could be found traveling the waterways of the Connecticut River. An accomplished musician, Jim was a member of several bands in the Pioneer Valley for many years, playing the electric bass guitar.  Jim had a passion for searching for antique and historic relics of the past, a pursuit that gave him great joy, taking him from the Pioneer Valley to the Hudson Valley. He also enjoyed mining for Herkimer Diamonds, in the Herkimer, NY area.  Jim had a great love and respect for animals of all kinds. 
He leaves the love of his life, his wife Joan of Greenfield, MA; his mother-in-law: Antoina Nothdurft of Greenfield, MA; a brother-in-law: Peter Ciempa and his wife Barbara of Chicopee, MA; his nieces: Clarice Baker of Turners Falls, MA, Rebecca Baker of Richmond, NH, Karen Ingram (Scott) and Kathy Weiss (Kevin) of Belchertown, MA and additionally 5 grandnephews, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.  He is also remembered by Marybeth Bollman of Paradise, CA who was beloved to him, and by his close family friend, Joe Bailey of Rousses Point, NY.  Jim was predeceased by his parents: his father Joseph and his step-mother Frances Baker, his mother Constance (Cray) Baker Bassett and by his brother, John J. Baker, his father-in-law Peter Nothdurft and by his sister-in-law Claudia Ciempa.
At Jim’s request for simplicity and privacy, there will be no formal services or visiting hours. He will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered in keeping with his wishes.  Expressions of affection in the form of a charitable contribution are preferred in lieu of flowers to either the Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01001 or to the Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA 01060.

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