This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Baker, Viau, DeHond, Au, McCabe Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JCC.2ACEB/9003 Message Board Post: SARANAC LAKE — Fred Carl Baker, 63, died suddenly of heart failure on Nov. 22, 2002 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. He was born in Granville, N.Y., July 28, 1939. He was the son of the late Edward Baker and Rose (Viau) Baker. He served in the United States Army Band from 1957 to 1960. He studied music at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam and graduated with a degree in music education. He was married to Karen DeHond in Rochester, N.Y., in 1965. While in Rochester, he taught music in the Wheatland-Chili School District and the Fairport Central School District. He studied at the Eastman School of Music as well and played in the Chuck Mangione Big Band. In 1972 he moved with his wife, Karen, and daughter, Kristina, to Saranac Lake. He served the Saranac Lake Central School District from 1972 to 1997 as the instrumental-band director. He was the founder of the 52nd Street Band, which has entertained people in the North Country since 1980 with swing and jazz music. Upon retirement, he continued to play with numerous small groups and the Wally Siebel Big Band. It was his great joy to serve as a conductor on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen DeHond Baker of Saranac Lake; a daughter, Kristina Marie Au and her husband, Timothy Au, and grandson Alexand Jordan Au, all of San Diego, Calif.; a son, Carl Edward Baker of San Francisco, Calif.; a sister, Joyce Baker of Pawlet, Vt.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William McCabe. Fred was a man who could be trusted equally to say what was on his mind, to provide a laugh and to engender a feeling of safety. He influenced his students, not just in their music, but in their whole lives. His extraordinary gift as a musician affected all who knew him. The mellow strains of his sax will continue to echo down the streets of Saranac Lake and through the halls of the school he served for 25 years and to reverberate in the hearts of those who loved him. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are being handled by the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at the Union Depot in Saranac Lake at 1:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 26. A reception will follow at the Depot. Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the Fred C. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund which will be established. Checks may be sent to the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. Im not related info from www.PressRepublican.com obituary archives