Bruce B. Baker, Vietnam War Veteran, Marine, National Guardsman Dies At 72

Courtesy of Ocean County Cremation Service:

Bruce B. Baker passed away December 21, 2016 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Lanoka Harbor. He was 72.

Born in Newton, MA and raised in Yonkers, NY, the family resided in Elmwood Park, NJ before moving to Lanoka Harbor in 2002.

Sgt. Baker joined the United States Marine Corps after he graduated from Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, VA. Bruce served his country with enormous pride for 30 years. A Vietnam Veteran with service in country with Force Logistics Command: Force Logistics Support Group Bravo, I Corps area of Vietnam; followed by a lengthy and productive career with the New Jersey Army National Guard for the next 23 years reaching the rank of Master Sgt. Sgt. Baker was the recipient of many medals and awards both in the U.S.M.C. and the NJARNG. These included the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct, as well as the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the NJ Governor's Unit Award and the NJ Desert Storm Medal.

When a Marine dies, to Heaven he will go, and at the Golden Gate to Saint Peter he will salute and tell . . . "Another Marine reporting sir . . . I've served my time in Hell"

His career with the NJ Army National Guard ran concurrent with his career in the communication industry. Sgt. Baker retired as a manager with AT & T. Prior to that he worked as a craftsman while pursuing his undergraduate degree in business administration and finance from Bloomfield College. He eventually becoming a manager/engineer with Verizon Corp. where he worked for over 20 yrs. While a resident of Elmwood Park, Bruce was a member and active volunteer fireman with Company #1 for over 25 years.

Bruce was very active in the local veteran community after he retired to Ocean County in 2002. He is a former Commander of V.F.W. Post 10118 Forked River as well as a past Commandant of the Wm. H. Smith, Det. Of the Marine Corps League. Member of the American Legion in both Saddle Brook, NJ and Barnegat. Later on in his spare time he volunteered with the county Veteran Service Office in Toms River, NJ.

Sgt. Baker was predeceased by his parents, Raymond Conway Baker and Lucille Bullock Goodyear as well as a brother Raymond Conway Jr. and sister LuRae Constance Baker Williams. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary Ann Swartz Baker and three children: Bruce B. Jr., Karen M. Baker Kuryllo, Stephanie R. Baker, as well as his loving son-in law Michael Kuryllo and grandniece Jaclyn Oakes, and many friends and relatives, not the least of which are his Marine Corps family of FLC: FLSG-Alpha/Bravo, all members of their reunion group which met annually for the past 29 yrs.

Following a private cremation, a Memorial Service will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at the Lacey Memorial Home, 1022 Lacey Rd. Forked River, NJ. A committal ceremony will be held at Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ on Thursday, January 5, 2017

Arrangements by Ocean County Cremation Service. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Holy Redeemer Hospice especially Nurse Jen Larkin.

Image:Patch file photo