Queensbury — Charles Alvin Baker, 80, of West Mountain Road, Queensbury, passed away unexpectedly on Friday October 9, 2015 at his home.

Born August 29, 1935 in Glens Falls. He was the son of the late Bernard H. Baker and the late Dora B. (Nolan) Baker. Charlie, as he liked to be called, graduated from Glens Falls High School class of 1952.

He married the late Mary Elizabeth Bates on November 17, 1957 at the First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, they were married for 51 years. They had two daughters, Lori E. (Baker) O'Connor and Erin C. (Baker) Miller. Charlie was a member of the West Mountain Community Church for 57 years and served for 45 years as a Trustee. He was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Queensbury Lodge 121, for 41 years.

Charlie was a very hard worker who took great pride in providing for his family. Throughout his career he was employed with A.C. Warner, as a cabinetmaker, Raymond E. Bates Sand and Stone Company, as a machine operator, West Mountain Ski Center, as a chair-lift operator, and at Finch Pruyn and Company, from where he retired in 2001 after 35 years of service. He also owned his own firewood business for 21 years. Additionally, after retirement, he worked for Hayes Brothers Construction Company for a number of years.

Charlie was a larger than life, all American, mountain man—definitely the life of the party. His hobbies included hunting deer, cooking for family and friends, gardening, brewing his own Shrub, feeding the deer in his backyard, 4-wheeling and hiking local mountains, fishing, taking drives around town, and watching his Westerns. He especially enjoyed having family over for home-cooked Sunday night dinners each week. Charlie was such a selfless man—lending a helping hand to any family member, friend or stranger in need, donating food to the Glens Falls Youth Center for many years, and providing Easter Sunrise Breakfasts for West Mountain Community Church for over 40 years. He recently enjoyed his surprise 80th birthday party where he got to catch up with many family members and friends.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Baker; two brothers, Hubert D. Baker and Francis G. Baker; and a sister, Beatrice A. Brummagyn.

Survivors include his two daughters, Lori O'Connor and her husband, Daniel, of Charlotte, NC, Erin Miller and her husband, Dennis, of Queensbury, NY; five granddaughters, Ashley (Harris) Saville and her husband, Patrick, of South Glens Falls, Trista (Harris) Hartman and her husband, Eric, of Charlotte, NC, Elisha Harris and her partner, Daril Vilhena, of Seattle, WA, Gabriella O'Connor, and Caitlin O'Connor, both of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by a sister, Mary R. Baker and brother, Bernard O. Baker, both of Glens Falls, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Friends may call upon the family on Thursday, October 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette Street, Queensbury, NY.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 16, at 11 at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Flower, pastor of South Granville Congregational Church and Gerald Sawn, officiating.

Burial will follow at Mount Hermon Cemetery, West Mountain Road, Queensbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in loving memory of Charlie Baker to West Mountain Community Church, Aviation Road Ext., Queensbury, NY 12804 or Glens Falls Youth Center, 90 Montcalm Street, Glens Falls 12801.

Charlie's family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the West Glens Falls Paramedics and Warren County Sheriff's Department.

Condolences may be mailed to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette Street, Queensbury, NY 12804 or emailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.