Sherwood A. “Bake” Baker, 78 of Conklin passed into the arms of his Lord and was reunited with his beloved wife Veda of 48 years on Monday, April 6, 2009 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Newark Valley. He was born in Nicholson PA on June 4, 1930 to William Baker and Nina Simmons. He is survived by his children: Harold “Mac” Baker, wife Michelle and their daughters Sandra and Katelyn Baker of Windsor, NY; Patricia Leonard of Yuba City, CA, her sons Mac Leonard, wife Nicole and their children Bailey and Chaz Leonard of Yuba City, CA and Edward R. Leonard II and his daughter Mackenzie of Apalachin NY; Richard L. Baker and his daughter Lacey of Guilford NY; Cindy Harendza, her husband Benjamin of Johnson City and their sons Keith Harendza and his daughter Madaline of Conklin and Adam Harendza of Johnson City NY; Beverly Bowen her husband Richard “Dick” Bowen of Newark Valley, daughters Kimberly Gerdus of Cortland; Chris Gerdus of Apalachin and Michelle Gerdus and her sons Treavor and Liam of Newark Valley. He is also survived by his brother Keith Baker of Nicholson PA; step-mother Betty Turner and sisters and brothers Dolores Reader, Dale Elphick, Bill Baker and Donald Baker all of Zepherhills, FL; sister-in-law Shirley Dubrava of Pinellas Park, FL; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his brother Jerry Baker and his sisters-in-law Nancy Baker and Diane Baker all of Nicholson, PA.

Sherwood and Veda were life-long residents of Conklin, NY and last remembered by their many selfless years of giving pony rides at Conklin and Kirkwood Fairs andVail Ballou Days and raising and selling Easter Bunnies and sweet corn. He was a retired truck driver for Empire Tallow and was a member of the Teamster Union Local 645 for over 30 years. He loved bowling, gardening and his horses and splitting wood and was a member of the NYS Penn-Yan Pony Pullers Associations. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa who enjoyed being with his family, friends and neighbors, who were always his first and up most priority and was always there for all of us.

The Baker family would like to give special thanks and recognition to our neighbors Jack and Sue Dean and Milly Minister for all their love and support to all of us, particularly in Mom and Dad’s final few years and to Dad’s nurse Nancy McCluhan who cared for Dad in his final months and was always there for all of us. Your love and devotion to our family will remain with all of us forever and you will always be and remain a part of our family. As we bid our father and grandfather a final farewell, the entire family would like to express our deepest love and gratitude to Kimberly Gerdus, who saved her “Bucko” and her sister Chris from the fire that took our family home and allowed us to have Dad with us for another 3 ½ years and to our loving baby sister and her husband Beverly and Dick Bowen who opened their home to our beloved dad on that dreadful day. You are and will remain our heroes, words cannot express our thanks Bev and Dick to the love, care and support you unselfishly gave to your and our dad. There is a reward in heaven with your names on it.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 10, 2009 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the West Windsor Baptist Church on North Road West Windsor with a memorial service officiated by Reverend Baker immediately following. Arrangements are by the Barber Memorial Home, Inc., 428 Main Street, Johnson City NY.

Home: Conklin , NY
Date of Death: April 6, 2009
Service Information: Friday, April 10, 2009 from 9:00am to 11:00am at the West Windsor Baptist Church on North Road West Windsor with a memorial service officiated by Reverend Baker immediately following
Time: 9:00am