Paul Wade Baker, Iii

Paul Wade Baker, III, age 85, of Shelton, beloved husband of Doris (Godo) Baker, passed peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Born February 28, 1935 to Paul Wade Baker, Jr. and Rae (Jasmin) Baker, Paul was a natural musician from the start; as he grew, so did his passion for music. Paul graduated from New Haven Teacher’s College and worked as a public school teacher for many years. He later decided to leave the public school system and open Baker Music Village, allowing him to teach many Shelton and surrounding area students how to play instruments for over 40 years. Paul’s love for teaching children and for music moved him to create Listen to the Children, a children’s folk choir that had more than 100 in the group at its height. He and his choir travelled to perform at many churches and shrines along the East Coast and in Canada. Paul played in numerous polka bands and big bands throughout Connecticut. He was always found sharing his love for music with others and rarely missed an opportunity to pull out his trumpet and play. There was nothing that Paul loved more than his family, and he never missed a chance to tell them so. Paul loved to tease and laugh with his loved ones and had a great sense of humor. He took great pride in his home and loved maintaining his house and yard.

In addition to his beloved wife of 63 years, Doris, Paul is survived by his six loving children, Paul Baker  and his wife Robin, Cathleen Harczak and her husband Steve, William Baker and his wife Joanne, Susan Light and her husband Robert, Amy Myers and her husband Andrew, and Sally Andrews and her husband Scott; his twelve cherished grandchildren, Ryan Sullivan and his wife Melanie, Victoria Baker and her fiancé Colter Johnson, Emily Baker, Elizabeth Baker, William Baker, Jr., Paul Wade Baker, IV, Kendra Light, Molly Myers, Matthew Myers, Scott Andrews, Sam Andrews, and Kate Abravaya and her husband Justin; as well as one treasured great-grandchild, Rory Sullivan. Paul is also survived by his sister, Patricia Musante and her husband Tom; his sister-in-law, Jeanette Good; his brother-in-law, Kenneth Bishop; as well as many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Mary Beth Bishop, and his brother-in-law William Godo.

Friends are invited to a walk-through visitation on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 from 9:30am-10:30am at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Church, 50 Fairmont Pl, Shelton. Interment will follow the Mass at Riverside Cemetery, 308 River Road, Shelton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Paul’s memory to St. Joseph’s Church, 50 Fairmont Pl., Shelton, CT 06848, or to Season’s Hospice, 1579 Straits Turnpike, Unit 1E, Middlebury, CT 06762.

Zoom Information:

Walk-Through Visitation
Tuesday, February 9, 2021  9:30am-10:30am

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89761162240?pwd=YzJFUmFxMGxVVU8ySTdiNWtKbnNnZz09

Meeting ID: 897 6116 2240
Passcode: 835743

Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, February 9, 2021  11:00am

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88254378810?pwd=M2NvSE9jVTFRZmFRUjVMMmcvR1JaZz09

Meeting ID: 882 5437 8810
Passcode: 409075

Graveside Service
Tuesday, February 9, 2021  12:15pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81162928067?pwd=WVdzUGRrZW1pTjViNkl1RENMSHRYZz09

Meeting ID: 811 6292 8067
Passcode: 743562