US Army veteran
OTISFIELD, ME — Bruce W. Baker, 86 of Otisfield, formerly of Melrose passed away peacefully on the evening of November 8 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME.
He was born on May 6, 1938 in Melrose, the son of Carlton and Elizabeth (Wilson) Baker. Bruce attended local schools, graduating from Melrose High School in 1956. He went on to earn his BBA degree from Norwich University in 1960 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and served on active duty at Fort Eustis, VA until 1964.
In 1960, he married the love of his life Ruth Stockbridge and together after his service they settled in Melrose. He worked in real estate for a short time before going to work for Melrose Savings Bank for several years and later Lexington Savings. After his banking career, he started his own appraisal business and did that for many years before retirement.
Brother Bruce Walbridge Baker became a Mason at DeWitt Clinton Lodge #15 in Vermont in April of 1960. He joined Wyoming Lodge in Melrose, February 1968. He received the 50 year Veteran medal in July 2012. He was also a member of Scottish Rite, Valley of Boston. He was a member of The Aleppo Shriners since June 1971. Bruce was involved in the Rotary Club of Melrose for many years, earning the Paul Harris Fellow Award an achievement for members that put the needs of the community above their own.
Bruce had many passions. He was an avid sailor, finding great joy in racing his Hobie Cat sailboat in Regattas. He also loved antique cars, particularly his 1963 Dodge Polara 500 that he purchased new and it will continue to be cherished by his family. His greatest pleasure though was time spent at his beloved Thompson Lake in Otisfield, ME. Introduced to the lake at the age of 10, Bruce cherished the opportunity to share this special place with his children and grandchildren creating memories at the family camp that will last for generations.
He is survived by a daughter Brenda Durgin and her husband Dan of Otisfield, ME; a son Doug Baker and his wife Colleen of Cumberland, ME; five grandchildren Kevin Durgin and his wife Megan; Katie Durgin and her wife Caitlin; Ryan Baker; Sarah Cagnina and her husband Michael; and Kimberly Baker; two great grandchildren Emmeline and Conor Durgin; and a sister Irene Gillespie of Nottingham, NH. He was predeceased by his wife Ruth on November 11, 2013; his son Scott on August 24, 2024; and a brother Roger on May 29, 2018.
A service to celebrate Bruce’s life will be held Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m., Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Rd., Casco, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners Hospital Springfield, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/new-england. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Rd., Casco, ME 04015. Visit hallfuneralhome.net.
