Charles D Baker

Charles D. Baker, Sr.

Charlie Baker, 97, passed away on November 1, 2025, after several years of declining health. The goal for Dad in recent months was that he was safe, calm and had a peaceful end, and we were able to ensure that all three happened. After a lifetime of Dad caring for others, we feel blessed we had the opportunity to care for him.

As detailed in a recent obituary in the Boston Globe, Charlie was an accomplished man with a varied and successful career, but there were many other aspects to his life. He loved his family, and his definition of family included many cousins of various degrees, as well as people he gathered into the Baker family over the years. Whether it was children of his close friends, friends of his sons, and neighbors he formed special bonds with, he considered them all members of his family and welcome at the dinner table.

He loved doing crossword puzzles and was an avid reader. His reading taste ranged from intellectual books on history and social issues to pulp mysteries about hard boiled detectives. He was insatiably curious and had an extensive collection of reference dictionaries and statistical abstracts readily available to answer any question that might come up during dinner. He was an avid golfer, although he would admit he often played with more enthusiasm than skill. When he and Betty moved back to Needham in 2013, he rejoined the Congregational Church and was an active member of the bible study group for many years. He was also active in the North Hill Community, participating in a poetry group and starting a current events discussion program.

One of his greatest strengths was that he was comfortable with who and what he was. That meant he could easily move from presenting a business strategy to a board of directors in a Brooks Brother’s suit, teaching an undergraduate class at Northeastern in a tweed jacket, to wandering around Radio Shack in a pair of linseed oil stained khakis.

Charlie was predeceased by his sisters Nancy and Caroline, his beloved wife Betty, and his dear companion Sandra Levine. He is survived by sons, Charlie, Jonathan and Alex, grandchildren, Charlie, Christian, AJ, Caroline and Chase, and great grandson Charlie.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am, January 10, 2026 at the Congregational Church in Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave., Needham. 

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Mr. Baker’s memory to “Team Member Appreciation Fund,” North Hill Senior Living, 865 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02492.