The Rev. J. Bruce Baker of Frederick, Md., peacefully died on Sunday, May 23, 2021, bathed in light and surrounded by loved ones after a rapidly progressing neurological disease. He was 73.
He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, to Herman W. Baker and Doris E. Baker. He graduated from Zanesville High School; Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio; and Intermet Interfaith Seminary in Washington, D.C. He married Julianne Walker in 1971 in her parents’ rowhouse in Locust Point, Baltimore.
The Rev. Baker was ordained and served as Assistant Pastor at Woods Memorial Church in Severna Park, Md. He was then called as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Parkersburg, W.V. In 1982, he began serving as Pastor at West Side Presbyterian Church in Englewood, N.J. In 1995 he was called to Oak Lane Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. After five years of service there, Bruce returned to the New York City area to serve at All Souls Parish Presbyterian Church in Port Chester, N.Y., until his retirement to Shohola, Pa., in 2015.
hile serving in Port Chester, Bruce was called to be the chaplain of the Port Chester Police Department. Bruce’s sermons were a combination of deep theological thought and understanding, relatable lessons, and humor. However, Bruce found the greatest sense of service in calling on each of his parishioners, getting to know them individually in their homes and holding space for everyone on their faith journey. During a recent interview, Bruce said of this practice, “It was important. It kept me in touch with them. Whether they loved me or just were not so inclined. Because I am not God’s grace. I think sometimes we clergy have the idea that we have the keys to the kingdom. And we take ourselves far too seriously...went to see richest family in the congregation and I went to see the poorest because, while I am NOT God’s grace, I would hope that I’ve shown that God’s grace is available to all. That God’s grace is for everyone.”
While serving with integrity and commitment as his churches, Bruce also believed strongly in participating in all levels of the church and served religiously in the Presbyteries in which his congregations were located and into his retirement. Bruce saw the strength of an ecumenical faith community and was instrumental in calling together clergy of all faiths to serve the common good. One of his greatest joys was performing wedding ceremonies. From the living room at the manse, to skyscrapers in Manhattan, Bruce made sure that each wedding was a unique expression of love between the couples. He also felt honored to be invited to conduct funerals. He had conversations with the bereaved and eulogized the deceased filled with compassion and understanding for the individual and their survivors.
As a man of great faith and determination, Bruce was recognized throughout his career of service with countless awards and accolades. In 2020, he was named Pastor Emeritus of All Souls Parish Presbyterian Church. The Center for Modern Dance Education, in Hackensack, NJ established the Bruce Baker Scholarship for Boys. Bruce was bestowed honors from community organizations such as the NAACP, Port Chester High School Gay Straight Alliance, Rotary International and innumerable others. The recognition was deeply appreciated, but what counted to Bruce was the impact, change, or difference to society or individual lives, in acts such as seeing a young man through his Bar Mitzvah, finding a home for a family in need, ensuring food security for the entirety of a community, affecting local policy to ease access to housing, providing job skills, education, and childcare for young mothers.
Bruce worked tirelessly. By breaking cycles of poverty, lifting those oppressed, remembering the forgotten, embracing the outcast, Bruce tried to be Christ-like rather than “Christian.” Bruce said, “In my work in the community outside of the church, I was just doing what Jesus did. I was trying to do what Jesus did. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, visit those that are sick. Encouraged the congregation to be more Christ-like; helped the congregation to realize that the work of Christ went beyond these walls.”
Along with his work in the church and community, Bruce had a passion for food, dance, and music. He had a vintage Martin guitar that he needed very little encouragement to play. He would play Dylan songs by candlelight after dinner on summer evenings and write songs about his faith and his daughter, Sarah. He loved any music that moved him, from the Rolling Stones to Taizé chants. He danced for most of his life and once performed at the prestigious Merce Cunningham Studio.
Bruce tended a garden every year and made buckets of unparalleled marinara sauce from his tomatoes. He delighted in all aspects of enjoying a meal, from finding the right ingredients to preparing and serving gourmet quality meals several times a week. He loved to explore cultures and family traditions through food. He was never afraid to try something new and share his results with anyone willing to go on a culinary journey with him.
Bruce is lovingly survived by his wife, Julianne Walker Baker of Frederick, Md.; son, Clifton Krieg, his wife Christina Krieg, and their children, Lukas and Noah of Warreton, Va.; daughter, Sarah D. Baker and her wife, Dawn L. Bridgewater, of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother, William Wallace Baker and wife, Robin of Broadview Heights, Ohio; daughters of his heart, Cecilia Becerril Adam of Ottowa, Ontario, and Janie Alana Shepard, of Pointe-Claire, Quebec; andcCountless others whose lives he touched.
A memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 26 at All Souls Parish, 55 Parkway Drive, Port Chester, N.Y. All are welcome, please RSVP via Facebook Group, “Rev. J. Bruce Baker Updates, Reminiscences, and Prayers.” While there, please share your memories and find more information about the celebration of Bruce’s life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bruce’s name to: Mariandale Center, 299 N. Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562; The Center for Modern Dance Education, Bruce Baker Scholarship for Boys, 84 Euclid Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601; or to local grassroots organizations that carry on his mission and calling.
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”