John Francis Baker

John F. “Butchie” Baker, 82, of East Hartford, loving husband of over 43 years of the late Libera (Baldassare) Baker, peacefully took his final ride on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Born in Hartford on December 1, 1938, a son of the late Frank T. and Angeline (Mazzadra) Baker, he had been a lifelong resident of East Hartford. John was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Prior to his retirement, “Butchie” was a member of the Teamsters Local 671 and a truck driver for Spector Freight Company for over 20 years. He loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles and belonged to the Daggers and the Red Devils-Middletown Chapter. He liked playing cards and relaxing in his “man-cave”, and enjoyed gardening and maintaining his impeccable yard.

John is survived by two sons, Frank Baker and his significant other, Deborah Slota, of East Hartford, John Baker and his wife, Donna, of East Hartford; two daughters, Carol Baker and her significant other, Dave Hanlon, of Somers, Diane B. Simpson of Windsor Locks; a sister, Jean Lenares of Port Saint Lucie, FL; a sister-in-law, Carmella Sullivan of Agawam, MA; and a son-in-law, Jody Simpson of Wethersfield. He also leaves his eleven cherished grandchildren; four adored great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Besides his beloved wife and parents, John was predeceased by an infant daughter, Michelle Baker of East Hartford; and a sister, Sandra Stroman of East Hartford.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, (October 27, 2021) at 11 am at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, (Section G), Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Tuesday (October 26, 2021) from 4 – 7 pm. Due to the town of East Hartford Mask Mandate, everyone is required to wear a facemask and adhere to all of the regulations of the town and funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.