PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Daniel Leighton Baker, 74, of Pittsfield died April 29, 2020, after a heroic battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by the love and care of his beloved family. 

Dan was born May 3, 1945, in New York City to Winfield Howland and Ruth Leighton Baker. Raised in Albany, N.Y., Dan was an ardent student and avid Boy Scout. As a child, he found joy spending summers on his cousin's farm, riding about the city of Albany on his bicycle, studying science with his father in his work laboratory and learning delicious family recipes on his mother’s knee.

Dan was a lover of animals and nature. He was a fervent football player and he possessed an insatiable appetite for knowledge, culture and adventure.  As a young man, Dan traveled the country by train as a production assistant with Condor Films and shot documentary footage of America's National Parks. He was also an active member of the Calvary United Methodist Church of Albany, where he volunteered as leader of their Youth Ministry. 

Upon graduation from Albany High School, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he attained his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He later pursued his post graduate studies at Union College. Upon graduation in 1967, Dan accepted a position working for General Electric Ordinance Systems in Pittsfield, Mass., where he worked for 25 years. He continued to work for G.E.'s successor companies. Dan worked on countless projects over the years, few of which he was able to discuss in detail with his family, but he continually remarked about how proud he was to work with such intelligent and talented people. He was perhaps most proud to contribute to the building and launch of The USS Independence, General Dynamics' first LCS combat ship. His 45-year long career culminated with his retirement from General Dynamics in 2012.

Dan believed in public education and tried to improve upon the lives of children in his spare time. When Stearns Elementary School reopened in 1987, he formed The School Coalition, served as president and worked closely with the teachers to obtain a Carnegie Grant. He also served two terms on the Pittsfield School Building Needs Commission as a superintendent appointee. Even though his children had moved through both the elementary and middle schools, Dan still gave his time and talents to help Pittsfield Public Schools. As a result, the School Building Needs Commission was able to make improvements and build additions to schools throughout the city.  

Dan also enjoyed his service as a Sunday School teacher and adviser to newly confirmed teenagers at the First United Methodist Church of Lenox. He believed that even after confirmation, young people needed support to confront big questions on their journey of faith and further develop their understanding of biblical history.

Dan married his wife and best friend Sharon Daury Baker. Married for 41 years, together they built and raised their loving family and supported their loved ones on their own terms. In his retirement, he and Sharon traveled extensively throughout all corners of the world. He made his marriage and his family his number one priority.  A giving man, his warmth was evident the moment you came into his presence. He adored his family and relished in the achievements of his children. He was the stuff "dream husbands" and "dream dads" are made of. Although he had the heart of an adventurer and the intelligent mind of an engineer, his understanding of what was important in life was firm: "Life is interesting, and it is meant to be shared with those that you love."

Besides his adored wife, Dan is survived by his three devoted children James W. Baker, Jillian (Chara) Baker and Lynn (Jay) Pestrichelli; and his one cherished grandchild, Zander Pestrichelli.  He loved being "Grandad" to Zander. He is also survived by his younger brother, Scott (Kathy) Baker; three cousins, Greg (Carolyn) Heywood, Christine Heywood, and Lisa (Gordon) Heywood-Drake; and several nieces and nephews. Dan also deeply valued his chosen and extended family members.  He treasured his longstanding friendship of 57 years with Andy Owczarek (Susan May) of Boise, Idaho, Bruce and Margaret Powell of Pittsfield, Mass., Ed and Patty Kaul of Westpointe, Va., John and Anelle Pestrichelli of River Edge, N.J., and "his favorite ladies," Maryellen Daury and Eleanor "Harvey" Penna, both of Pittsfield, Mass.

Funeral notice: As result of the current pandemic, a family graveside service was held on what would have been Dan's 75th birthday.

The Baker Family is profoundly grateful to the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. Dan was kept safe and able to live out his final days with dignity and grace because of their compassion, courage of heart and strength of mind, body and spirit. May they know protection and peace for all they are doing to heal and help the patients and family members affected by the coronavirus. Donations may be made in gratitude to Brigham and Women's Hospital to support the Brigham COVID-19 Response Fund. Memorial gifts can be made online at www.bwhgiving.org or checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital with "in memory of Daniel Baker" in the memo line, and sent to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, PO Box 414905, Boston, MA 02241.