It is with great sadness to report to you that John Baker passed away, at his home, the evening of September 9. Ironically on the night of the LHAS monthly meeting, about a month shy of his 91st birthday. For more than 30 years, John supported and helped steer our organization in so many ways.
John and his wife, Janet, faithfully attended our chapter’s meetings. John was always the first person to burst out “so moved” when the president asked for a motion to be accepted by the membership. At the September meeting there was a noticeable silence when John’s voice did not ring out.
John was treasurer of LHAS for 18 years, and thanks to his expertise LHAS has maintained a strong financial foundation. He started and managed our successful Vanguard investment fund. He served as a board member and on many committees. He and Janet were instrumental in LHAS acquiring both our Boyd Woods and Wigwam sanctuaries.Since Wigwam’s acquisition, John managed the sanctuary, where he worked with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to plant an experimental grove of hybrid chestnut trees with the goal of developing trees resistant to the chestnut blight. John researched everything from the type of hybrid chestnut trees to planting methodology. As a result many of the chestnut trees at Wigwam have thrived and produced nuts.
An avid birder, John participated in many LHAS bird walks and weekend excursions to Cape May, NJ, and Newburyport, MA, as well as the Christmas and summer bird counts.He was noted for wearing shorts on these outings, in all types of weather. (If he wore long pants, you knew it was COLD!)
At White Memorial’s Family Nature Day, John was always seen with “Irma from Burma,” one of his two Burmese pythons. Irma was a gentle ambassador for snakes and the reptile world. John wrapped the large snake around his neck, which always drew a crowd of kids and adults. John became fascinated with bees and maintained his own hives that produced award-winning honey. He understood the web of nature and the connections between plants, bees, and birds. His home landscaping displayed this connection.
We will miss John with his good nature and wry sense of humor. September is the time of year of the great raptor migration. I like to think that John is migrating as well to another place where peace and shelter prevail.
LHAS extends our sincere sympathies to Janet and his family.
~ Ann Orsillo