Michael James Baker, known affectionately as “Mike,” passed away in his Florida home on December 8th, 2023. He was 73 years old. Born on August 4th, 1950 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Mike was the youngest of 5 siblings raised by immigrant Irish parents. He attended St. Saviour Elementary school, was a Bishop Ford High School graduate, and went on to receive his MBA at Brooklyn College.
Mike was an RN and spent a significant part of his life in hospitals, working in the service of others. He later made a career as a clinical specialist, working alongside surgeons in operating rooms, educating them on the functions of innovative specialty medical equipment that aided in pain management. In tandem to his work in healthcare, he was a mentor to many and an active advocate for Brooklyn Intergroup of AA and AA in general. Mike was a driving force for the reinstitution of Brooklyn Intergroup of AA as a viable resource for AA members in Brooklyn and beyond. He additionally served as the co-op board president at his Brooklyn home for over 20 years.
Mike was married to his wife and fellow Brooklynite, Donna Baker, for 36 years until her passing in 2017. They lived a beautiful life together in Windsor Terrace and are survived by their daughters, Jennifer and Christina Baker.
An avid story-teller, entertainer, and history-buff, Mike possessed a plethora of unique knowledge particularly surrounding historic New York. Despite retiring in 2010, Mike was a man of many hobbies. He was a guitar-player, a painter, a gardener, and an athlete to name a few, and enjoyed the last few years of his life active, happy, and golfing in sunny Florida.
He truly loved people, and was a charismatic, charming, and humorous man filled with a lust for life and for adventure. Mike was passionate and nostalgic; he always put family first, and was always there to help, to guide, and to nurture those in need.
A wake will be held at Joseph G. Duffy Funeral Home at 255 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY, on Monday, December 18, and Tuesday, December 19, 3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm on both days followed by his funeral service held at Holy Name of Jesus Church at 245 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, NY on Wednesday, December 20th, at 10am, followed by a ceremony at Greenwood Cemetary, where Mike will be buried alongside Donna. The funeral service will be live streamed on Holy Name’s Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that members of Alcoholics Anonymous kindly consider making a donation to Brooklyn Intergroup of AA, an organization that Mike was actively involved in and very passionate about.
To all others, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.