Miles H. Baker Jr.

BRIDGTON — Miles Henry Baker Jr., 83, passed away Feb. 6, 2011 in Bridgton, Maine while surrounded by his wife and family. Miles was born May 11, 1927 in Kansas City, Kansas to Iris and Miles Henry Baker Sr. He grew up in Brockton, Mass., before graduating from Manlius Military Academy (N.Y.) in 1945. He then served in the Panama Canal Zone as a member of the U.S. Navy. After return to civilian life, he spent several years as a golf professional in Kansas City. In 1948, he met his future wife, Oretta Joiner, and they were wed the following year. His early family and married life was spent in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he was a successful salesman in the pharmaceutical and shoe industries.

In 1964, he moved with his wife and six children to Yarmouth, Maine where he was the vice president of E.E. Taylor Shoe Company in Freeport. After leaving E. E. Taylor, he and his wife owned and operated the Eastwood Motel and Clara & John’s Restaurant (now the Freeport Inn) from 1970– 1973. After their children were grown, Miles and Oretta moved to greater Washington D.C., where Miles spent several additional years in the shoe business.

In 1985, the Bakers returned to Greater Portland to assist in the care of his ailing father and much loved stepmother, Sarah Kroh Baker. He subsequently worked with his son at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor, where he was a familiar face to members and guests from 1993–2002. He and his wife then joined their daughter in Bridgton, where he worked at the Bridgton Highlands Golf Club until his retirement in 2008.

He will be remembered by many as a devoted and loving family man, who was also known for his passion for the game of golf. He won the New England Junior Golf Championship in 1944, before becoming a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) from 1947–1949 He qualified to play in the 1952 US Amateur Public Links Championship and was a threetime Maine Amateur Senior Champion. Over the years he held memberships, and made lasting friendships, at the Portland Country Club, Valhalla Golf Club, Kebo Valley Country Club and Bridgton Highlands Golf Club.

Miles is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Oretta Joiner Baker; three daughters and their husbands: Deborah and Robert St. Clair of Bridgton, Maine; Anita and Frederic Clark of Newry, Maine; and Lisa and Dennis Fowler of Chula Vista, Calif.; as well as three sons and their wives: Gregg and Michele LaBotz Baker of Yarmouth, Maine; David and Deborah Whittemore Baker of Raymond, Maine; and Scott and Elana Standish Baker in Kennebunk, Maine. He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Eric Greene, Sarah and Jefferson Clark, Justin Merrill, Jade Baker, Anna Baker, Sierra Baker, and Chelsea and Hannah Fowler; and two greatgrandchildren: Camila Greene and Matthew Clarke Paradis.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 at the First Parish Congregational Church, 116 Main St., Yarmouth, with the Rev. Kent Allen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 103 South St., Bridgton, ME 04009 or Bridgton Hospital Oncology Dept., 10 Hospital Drive, Bridgton, ME 04009. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com for additional information and to sign Miles’ guestbook. Arrangements by the Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth.