Obituary of John Bruce Baker

John Bruce Baker of Westport CT was taken into the hands of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, March 25, 2016 He was surrounded by his loving wife Debra, and his two adoring sons, Dylan (Melissa) and Taylor (Ashley) Baker. He has two grandchildren John West and Chase Michael. A third grandchild is expected this September. John will now be reunited with his daughter Hope who was taken by the Lord shortly after birth in 1985. John was born June 27, 1947, in Westport CT, the only child of Jean (Saxomeyer) and John H. (Cannonball) Baker. John graduated from Staples High School in 1965, shortly before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and serving in the US & Vietnam from 1965-1969. John had a lifelong passion for food and hospitality. In 1971 John received a degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management from the Lewis Hotel School in Washington D.C. His interest in grand hotels and country inns led him to employment at Mohonk Mountain House (New Paltz, NY), The Mount Washington Hotel (Bretton Woods, NH), Fox Hollow Resort (Lenox, MA), and The Breakers Hotel (Palm Beach, FL). Most significant among these in his life was Mohonk Mountain House, which played an important role in his life for decades. John attended Santa Monica College, where he studied philosophy; he also attended The University of Massachusetts and earned a Bachelor+óGé¼Gäós Degree in Education. John had always been an avid home cook, and stepped into the kitchen professionally for the first time at The Three Bears Restaurant in Westport CT. The beauty of Mohonk inspired John+óGé¼Gäós photography and poetry. In the years that followed John continued to follow his interests in writing, photography, books, movies, Community Theater, and most importantly, spending time with his sons. In 2006 John was introduced to Debra (Debbie) of Stuart, FL by mutual friends, they married in 2009. Living first in Westport CT, the couple moved to Palm Bay, FL in 2011. John then retired making it possible for him to enjoy his golfing and evenings of card playing. John and Debbie were active members of the church, Grace Bible Church of Palm Bay, with John becoming a Deacon in 2014. John found love and contentment in the last decade of his life. Contentment and love in his marriage to Debbie, and contentment and love in his savior Jesus Christ, who John was brought into a deeper understanding of through his readings of the apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:4. John lived his life with love, he sought and found beauty every day, and the world was a better place with him in it. We love you and will miss you always.There will be a service Saturday April 9th, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Bible Church, 3620 Bayside Lakes Blvd SE, Palm Bay, FL.In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the American Lung Association or the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA.org)