James ‘Jimmy’ Baker of Aracadia, Florida, And Formerly Of Eastport, Dies May 21

James “Jimmy” Baker of Arcadia, Florida, and formerly of Eastport, died in Sarasota, Florida on May 21. He was 83.

Mr. Baker was born in Southampton on August 28, 1937 to Julia (Seaman) Baker and Harry S. Baker.

He was brought up on the family duck ranch in Eastport and graduated from Eastport High School. As Mr. Baker would tell you, from then on, he had a very full, eventful life, his family said.

Mr. Baker was a 65-year member of the Eastport Fire Department, in which he became the department’s first district mechanic. He was chief of the department at the time of the 1995 Sunrise Wildfires, one of the largest brush fires in the department’s history. He was also a Suffolk County fire coordinator.

He was married on September 11, 1965 to Marianne Truskoski, and they were married for 55 years. They resided in Eastport until moving permanently in 2012 to their home in Arcadia, never forgetting the fire department or the many friends they had made over the years.

Mr. Baker was well known for his vast knowledge of mechanics and equipment repair, and could fix just about anything. He loved building and working on 8N-V8 tractors, displaying his tractor and 1940 Ford pickup at shows and events. He also loved his airboat, running it on the river and giving rides to friends and relatives.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister Judy Ann Stys. He is survived by his wife Marianne (Truskoski) Baker; mother-in-law Helen Truskoski; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Moloney-Sinnickson Funeral Home in Center Moriches on June 1, with Firematic services that evening, and religious services on June 2. He was laid to rest in the Eastport Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11794.