Proctor Bond Baker, Jr.

     Proctor Bond Baker, Jr., 85, of Hertford, NC, died peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2018 while in Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation in Elizabeth City, NC, with his family by his side.

   Born in East Orange, NJ on February 13, 1933, he was the son of the late Proctor Bond Baker, Sr. and Janet Lenz Baker. After graduating from Verona High School (1951), in Verona, NJ, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard and was stationed in Boston where he served for four years during the Korean War as a 1st Class Petty Officer.

   In 1968, Proctor started his own company, Proctor Baker, Jr. Assoc. Inc., (PBA), a general contracting company, and later, CIM Eastern, a wholly owned subsidiary, which specialized in providing proprietary protective coating solutions to Federal, State, Municipal, and private end markets. PBA's notable clients, among others, included Hess Oil, where they did extensive work on their storage terminals along the east coast, including operating units in St. Croix.

   A lifelong devotee of the Episcopal Church, Proctor, as a young child, sang in the boy’s choir at St. Andrews Church in South Orange, NJ. He continued to sing in the men and boys choir at Christ Church in Glen Ridge, NJ until he entered the US Coast Guard in 1952. Proctor served as Sr. Warden of the vestry at All Saints Church in Bay Head, NJ; and most recently, he served as Jr. Warden at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hertford, NC.

   A 40 year resident of Bay Head, NJ, Proctor enjoyed surfcasting for Blues, from Howe to Strickland Street, with the ever reliable “Hopkins Lure”. An active tennis and platform tennis player prior to acquiring debilitating knee issues, he thoroughly enjoyed participating in many a filial tournament with his children. In addition, Proctor served for many years in a variety of leadership board positions at the Bay Head Yacht Club, lending his construction/management expertise to a variety of club projects.

   An avid boater and Captain of his beloved 37 foot Egg Harbor, Sunshine, he and his wife, Nancy, spent many happy years navigating Barnegat Bay as well as enjoying longer cruises to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. After retiring, they brought her down to the Albemarle Sound where Proctor continued to be active with the Osprey Yacht Club in Hertford. In 2006, Proctor and Nancy retired to Albemarle Plantation in Hertford. For many years Proctor was an active member of the Hertford Rotary Club and a firm believer in the motto “Service Above Self”. He gave his time, talent and financial support to the organization and has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. All through his life he has had many and varied interests, all centered on his love, care and helping of people, his fellow man. All who knew him say he was a sweet, loving, caring and compassionate man. He will be greatly missed.

   The oldest of four children, Proctor was preceded in death by his brother, Frederick A. C. Baker, and a sister, Elizabeth Baker Rolandelli.

   He will be loved and missed by his wife of 48 years, Nancy Roome Baker; his son, Jack Baker and his wife Dede of Beverly, MA; his daughter, Libby Baker Mattson and her husband Jeffrey of Stamford, CT; eight grandchildren, Annie, Alex and Carly Baker, Jack and McKenzie Clippinger, and Peter, Michael and Charlie Mattson; and sister, Janet Lenz Baker of Pennington, NJ.

   A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 31, at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 South Church St, Hertford, NC.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 South Church St, Hertford, NC 27944; or to All Saints Church, 500 Lake Ave., Bay Head, NJ 08742.

   Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made to them by visiting www.millerfhc.com.