Francis Oliver Baker

Francis Oliver Baker entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the age of 86. He was born on October 6, 1936, in Finzel, Maryland. Francis was the sixth born of ten children, born to his parents Henry Millert Baker and Eliza Margaret “Liza” (Baker) Baker Wolford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Brothers James (Jim) Baker, Millard Baker, Hubert (Junior) Baker, and one Half Brother Ronald Hetzel Wolford.

Francis’ first 6 years were spent in Finzel Maryland living with various relatives. He moved to Frostburg Maryland when his mother and siblings moved. At the age of ten, Francis and his brothers and sisters were deeply grieved when their mother, Liza died. After Francis’ mother died, Francis moved from relative to relative in the cities of Meyersdale Maryland, and Salisbury Pennsylvania. In 1951 Francis moved in with Uncle Frank and Mary Katherine Baker who resided in Somerset Pennsylvania. Francis had many challenges while in their home. In 1955 he graduated from Somerset High School in Somerset, Pennsylvania. After graduation Uncle Frank told Francis he would be working in the coal mines from now on or not living in Uncle Frank’s house. Francis went to work at the coal mines but only lasted one day. You see in the fifties the miners’ used rats as their early warning system for cave ins and so the miner would share their lunch with the rats. Francis was not willing to share his lunch with anyone, let alone, a rat. So, in 1955 Francis moved to Washington DC where his older brother, Bobby lived. He started working for a Laundry Service, picking up and delivering laundry. He also worked at a Restaurant at the National Zoo as a short order cook.

Francis liked to work and play hard. He loved roller skating. Soon after arriving in Washington, he found the roller skating rink. He saw this beautiful petite young lady named Lois Snow. He decided he wanted to get to know her better and went over to ask her to skate. She didn’t say yes at first, so he started joking and talking to her until she said yes. It took four years of dating off and on before they would be married. Francis always told everyone, “Lois proposed to me. She was the one who asked me to marry her.” But Lois tells a very different story. About four years had passed and Francis was walking Lois home when on the steps to Lois home he asked Lois, “Will you marry me.” Her comment was, “Are you serious? Well, I will let you know later.” Several days passed and no answer. Francis took her to a little Restaurant/Ice Cream Shop. Francis asked Lois again, and she said, “Yes.” Two weeks later they were married at a Justice of the Peace in Virginia on July 15, 1959.

A few months later, Francis was drafted into the army. Francis always said, “my number had come up several times, but I had not been able to pass the physical until I married my beautiful wife. She took care of me and fed me too good.” In the army Francis worked as the cook because he had experience as a short order cook and later he was a gate guard. Francis was stationed in Germany where his first daughter was born, Teresa Sue Baker.

In August 1961 things were heating up in Germany so Lois and Teresa were sent back to the United States and settled back to her parents in Appomattox, Virginia for a few months. Francis asked Lois, “How will I find you?” Lois told him, “Everyone knows Mr. Snow.” Francis soon learned no one knew Mr. Snow except the mail man that delivers mail. Francis rode with the postman about 6 miles outside the Appomattox city limits. The family was reunited and settled back in Washington, DC.

In 1962, Francis and Lois were blessed with another daughter named Francine Baker. To get both Lois and Francine out of the hospital, Francis had the nurse fill out the check to pay the fees for the hospital stay so they could come home. Francis worked long hours and several jobs to make sure his family was well taken care of. He worked as a Dairy Manager at the A & P. He also was offered the opportunity to learn the Bricklaying Trade and working with his brother-in-law, Dennis Malcolm. He learned the industry so well he made a name for himself. Francis worked as Brick Forman for about 47 years. He loved his job and would spend time with his family showing off his work on the weekends. He went to work for Dennis Malcolm, Bobby Bowmen, George Moehrle, Fred Adami, Biltmoore Builders, PenTek Corp., Minor & Gillions, and a few more. The Borgwardt Funeral Home, Schools, and parts of Columbia were only a few of his master pieces.

Francis loved joking around with everyone or offering a bit of advice. Back in 2003, Chris Broderick, Francis’ grandson, wrote a paper called “My Slap Happy Grand Pappy” In it he describes his grandfather: “He always has the advice that he tries to push on you. That worldly knowledge that he already told you ten times before . . . Grandfather is a little bit goofy. He is always playing games and joking around. It’s always fun to have a ‘cool’ grandfather . . . Granddads job put him in the fun trade of brick laying. . . I remember the first day I went to work with him. I found out that my grandfather can say more bad word than me . . .The best thing about my grandfather is that you can talk to him about anything. I put him as one of the smartest people I know. He always seems to have something to say to your question . . . There is one problem with having a grandfather that’s a work-a-holic; he always wants help. When you tell him you really don’t want to get off your ass and lift a finger, he gets an attitude. It’s a silent attitude because he would never let anyone know he would stoop to that level . . . I feel like I am lucky to have my grandfather. He makes a great grandfather and a good friend.”

Nadia also wrote some memories in a few letters to Francis, She said, “I like when you and I would sit down around the table and play Go Fish. It is a lot of fun playing games with you and I miss that. You always just cracked me up when you got a book. I miss spending time with you just giggling and goofing off . . . I know that I am very lucky to have a special grandfather like you. If I searched the world over I could never find a grandfather who is the kindest, sweetest, and one who loves me . . . You taught me a lot and I will be forever grateful for that. I love you so much grandfather.”

Francis daughters, Teresa, says, “Not all superheroes wear capes. My superhero is you. You don’t wear a cape but you are amazing. Even when I wanted to give up on life, you never let me. Thank you for never giving up on me and never letting me give up on myself. I love you so much.” He was always joking, loved life, shared stories, and jokes all the time. One of the jokes was “Green Side Up”, that he liked to say early on. “Dad, you are loved and will be in our hearts forever. I miss you.”

Francis and Lois (Snow) Baker had been married for 63.5 years. When asked how he was doing he would often reply “Simply Marvelous. I am simple and she is marvelous.”

He is survived by his wife Lois Baker, his two daughter’s Teresa Jensen and son-in-law, Jim Jensen, of Anchorage, Alaska and Francine Broderick of Frederick, Maryland. Five grandsons: Wendell Brown and his wife, Kelly, of Laurel Maryland, Wayne Brown of Anchorage, Alaska; Christopher Broderick and wife, Sarah, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Ivan Jensen and Alex Jensen of Anchorage, Alaska. One granddaughter: Nadia Jensen of Anchorage Alaska. Two Great Grandsons: Oliver and Griffin Brown, and Two Great Granddaughter: Madison Broderick and baby McKenzie Broderick. Additionally, he is survived by his Brother Robert Baker, Violet Gray, Kenneth Wolford, Raymond Wolford, and Wanda Johnson.