Norman M. Baker, Jr.

Norman M Baker Jr., age 92 of West Chester, PA, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024. 

Norm is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Florence. Norm passed away just a few days before their 70th wedding anniversary.

Norm is also survived by his children, Norman III (Ann), Linda Senser (Bob), and Eileen Dougherty (Michael); by his 11 adoring grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and by a great- great-granddaughter. 

Norm is survived too by a brother, Robert (Claire), and was predeceased by his parents Norman M Baker Sr. and Anita Baker.

Norm was a graduate of Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served for four years as an electrician on a tugboat in Japan and on an amphibious ship during the Korean War. 

Norm had a successful career at The Bell Telephone Company of PA, starting his employment as a splicer, remarkably adept at climbing telephone poles for necessary repairs, and culminating as Manager of the West Chester Business Office. 

Norm and Floss had a full and loving life together. They were dreamers and planners, and many busy days ended with discussions about their next adventure. They moved their young family to Westtown, PA in 1963. The Bakers were members of Saints Simon and Jude Parish, and Norm was very proud to serve founding pastor Father Joseph Cavanaugh. Norm was a Lector for many years, usually at the 12:15 Sunday Mass. Norm has always been passionate about our great country and community service. He was a long-time member of the Westtown-Goshen Rotary Club and served as president of the charter board of directors in 1975. 

A man of many hobbies and interests, Norm had a lifelong love of sailing. Many family weekends were spent on the Chesapeake. Norm later chartered sailboats in the Caribbean, bringing a group of friends on annual trips with Norm as the captain and Floss as the first mate. He loved snorkeling and scuba diving, and all things related to the water. A trained electrician in the Navy, Norm was self-taught in other areas; carpentry, plumbing and more. A lifetime of projects around the house led to Norm building a home in Brigantine NJ, where Norm and Floss lived for many years. Norm loved those Brigantine years, reveling in teaching boating skills and water skiing to his grandkids, all in full view of their back deck. In the last few decades, home base for Norm and Floss shifted to Norm’s beloved Naples, Florida where the couple again created a loving and welcoming home for their family and friends.

More than anything else, Norm was a devoted family man. Norm and Floss’s grandchildren adored their grandparents, and they were Pop and GG to an equally enthralled squad of great grandchildren. Norm and Floss took care of so many people in their lives, illustrated best by the decades during which Florence (Floss’s mom) and Anita (Norm’s mom) lived with them. Norm and Floss’s daily commitment to their mothers’ care was an inspiration.

Funeral services will be private.

Contributions in Norman’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.