Maynard D. Baker
1930-2021
Maynard D. Baker graduated in 1967 from American Academy, McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, NYC. He started and operated Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home in Warrensburg for seventeen years. When he sold the funeral home, he wanted to continue to serve his community and did so as Town Supervisor of Warrensburg for 10 years. Maynard continued to watch the trends in the funeral industry especially as they related to the upstate New York area. He became convinced that the community would benefit by the addition of an independent, family-owned funeral home. Here, Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, commonly known as Baker Funeral Home, was reborn-and relocated to Queensbury.
Today, the firm is owned and operated by his daughter, Starr. Maynard loved coming in to lend a hand and see his daughter and granddaughter, Cassia, operate the funeral home together.
"Papa," as he was affectionately referred to by his family, as well as our staff, died peacefully at his home, two days after celebrating his 91st birthday with friends and family. Words cannot describe how much we will miss him every day.
Maynard D. Baker
1930-2021
Maynard D. Baker graduated in 1967 from American Academy, McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, NYC. He started and operated Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home in Warrensburg for seventeen years. When he sold the funeral home, he wanted to continue to serve his community and did so as Town Supervisor of Warrensburg for 10 years. Maynard continued to watch the trends in the funeral industry especially as they related to the upstate New York area. He became convinced that the community would benefit by the addition of an independent, family-owned funeral home. Here, Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, commonly known as Baker Funeral Home, was reborn-and relocated to Queensbury.
Today, the firm is owned and operated by his daughter, Starr. Maynard loved coming in to lend a hand and see his daughter and granddaughter, Cassia, operate the funeral home together.
"Papa," as he was affectionately referred to by his family, as well as our staff, died peacefully at his home, two days after celebrating his 91st birthday with friends and family. Words cannot describe how much we will miss him every day.
Starr Baker
Owner / Manager
Starr, owner and operator of the Baker Funeral Home, is the daughter of Maynard D. Baker Sr. She has worked very closely with her father through the years growing up in the funeral service business and continues today to provide care and compassion to families in their time of need. She is a licensed funeral director, having graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science, Syracuse, N.Y., in 1984. She also graduated from Adirondack Community College, earning her registered nursing license, and worked part-time at Westmount Health Facility as a way to give back to the community. In 2000 Baker Funeral Home was built in Queensbury where she has dedicated her time to serving the families of our community. Starr is a dedicated mother and grandmother, who is actively involved in various local community functions. She is the heart of our team and expresses the utmost care and concern for those who walk through our door.
Starr Baker
Owner / Manager
Starr, owner and operator of the Baker Funeral Home, is the daughter of Maynard D. Baker Sr. She has worked very closely with her father through the years growing up in the funeral service business and continues today to provide care and compassion to families in their time of need. She is a licensed funeral director, having graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science, Syracuse, N.Y., in 1984. She also graduated from Adirondack Community College, earning her registered nursing license, and worked part-time at Westmount Health Facility as a way to give back to the community. In 2000 Baker Funeral Home was built in Queensbury where she has dedicated her time to serving the families of our community. Starr is a dedicated mother and grandmother, who is actively involved in various local community functions. She is the heart of our team and expresses the utmost care and concern for those who walk through our door.
Clifford R. Gates
Licensed Funeral Director
Cliff and his wife Linda live in Warrensburg where he operates his monument business, Gates Cemetery Monuments.
Following graduation from Lake George High School in 1965, he became a New York State Trooper, retiring in 1985 after 20 years of dedicated service.
He then attended Hudson Valley Community College, becoming a New York State Licensed Funeral Director in 1990.
His long time experience and compassion makes Cliff a valuable asset at the Baker Funeral Home and we are very pleased to have him a part of our staff.
Clifford R. Gates
Licensed Funeral Director
Cliff and his wife Linda live in Warrensburg where he operates his monument business, Gates Cemetery Monuments.
Following graduation from Lake George High School in 1965, he became a New York State Trooper, retiring in 1985 after 20 years of dedicated service.
He then attended Hudson Valley Community College, becoming a New York State Licensed Funeral Director in 1990.
His long time experience and compassion makes Cliff a valuable asset at the Baker Funeral Home and we are very pleased to have him a part of our staff.
Melissa Shipley
Licensed Funeral Director
Melissa Shipley was raised in central New York, moving to the area in the early 2000’s. Prior to becoming a Licensed Funeral Director, she worked for many years at Warren Washington ARC, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Earning an associate degree from SUNY ADK in business management and then going on to earn an associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College in Mortuary Science.
She enjoys living in Queensbury with her husband, Chris Shipley; 6 children; 12 grandchildren and many extended family.
Melissa and her husband are proud active members of New Hope Community Church located in Queensbury.
She is very excited to continue her career locally, serving families and honoring their wishes.
Melissa Shipley
Licensed Funeral Director
Melissa Shipley was raised in central New York, moving to the area in the early 2000’s. Prior to becoming a Licensed Funeral Director, she worked for many years at Warren Washington ARC, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Earning an associate degree from SUNY ADK in business management and then going on to earn an associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College in Mortuary Science.
She enjoys living in Queensbury with her husband, Chris Shipley; 6 children; 12 grandchildren and many extended family.
Melissa and her husband are proud active members of New Hope Community Church located in Queensbury.
She is very excited to continue her career locally, serving families and honoring their wishes.
Katrina Dunn
Resident
Katrina is a Glens Falls native, and is currently raising her three children in the city she grew up in. Following her graduation from Glens Falls High School in 2005, she studied Criminal Justice at Adirondack Community College. She went on to earn her career diploma in Forensic Science from Stratford Career Institute. Most recently she earned her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science through Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in December 2024. Katrina’s passion for helping people influenced her to pursue a career at the funeral home. She is dedicated to her family and her work and we are very honored to have her as a part of our team.
Katrina Dunn
Resident
Katrina is a Glens Falls native, and is currently raising her three children in the city she grew up in. Following her graduation from Glens Falls High School in 2005, she studied Criminal Justice at Adirondack Community College. She went on to earn her career diploma in Forensic Science from Stratford Career Institute. Most recently she earned her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science through Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in December 2024. Katrina’s passion for helping people influenced her to pursue a career at the funeral home. She is dedicated to her family and her work and we are very honored to have her as a part of our team.
Lily Carbotti
Mortuary Science Student
Lily is a lifelong Queensbury resident, who graduated high school in 2022, a year early from her original graduation date. After graduation, Lily completed one year at SUNY Adirondack before transferring to Hudson Valley Community College's Mortuary Science Program to become a funeral director. Since she was young, Lily's mother has taken her to several cemeteries in our area to clean headstones. This volunteer work taught Lily so many great values and created an interest to work at a funeral home. Lily is a genuinely caring person who appreciates helping people. In her free time, she enjoys fishing and taking care of her two cats, Miles and Phoebe.
Lily Carbotti
Mortuary Science Student
Lily is a lifelong Queensbury resident, who graduated high school in 2022, a year early from her original graduation date. After graduation, Lily completed one year at SUNY Adirondack before transferring to Hudson Valley Community College's Mortuary Science Program to become a funeral director. Since she was young, Lily's mother has taken her to several cemeteries in our area to clean headstones. This volunteer work taught Lily so many great values and created an interest to work at a funeral home. Lily is a genuinely caring person who appreciates helping people. In her free time, she enjoys fishing and taking care of her two cats, Miles and Phoebe.
