BAKER, Donald Joseph

The Arizona Republic 3/29/2010 Baker, Donald Joseph, 57, of Phoenix, Arizona, went to be with the Lord March 26, 2010 with his wife by his side. Donald was born on August 28, 1952 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Don is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Joy Constantine Baker; daughter Jessica Joy Stevens (Joel), grandchildren Calvin, 11 and Allyson, 6, of Phoenix. His beloved siblings Robert Raymond Baker, Jr., Patrick James Baker (Karen), Barbara Ann Pennington (Lee), Raymond Anthony Baker (Linda) and Mary Frances Williams (Windford), several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, located in various states in the Midwest, also survive. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Sr. and Florence Seyfried Baker. Don attended Sacred Heart of Jesus Grade School, Indianapolis and graduated from Roncalli High School, Indianapolis in 1970. He graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Don taught first and second grade at St. Barnabas School in Greenwood, Indiana for five years. Deciding to completely change careers Don entered into the restaurant business as a server, manager, and general manager. He had great success in Indianapolis working for Steak and Ale, Spaghetti Factory, and Grandma Goodes. With Don's unique management skills, superior customer service and love for his new endeavor, he was fortunate to manage restaurant establishments in Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis, Nashville, Minneapolis, and Honolulu. One of Don's career highlights was receiving the award for "General Manager of the Year" 1983 at the Spaghetti Factory in Indianapolis. He is a permanent part of the restaurant's history as his name is engraved on the trophy. Upon retirement from the restaurant business, Don used his many skills for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis at Fatima Retreat House. In 2003, Don relocated to Phoenix, to not only escape the winter weather in Indianapolis but to be reunited with his "best friend" Barbara after a 25 year separation. They remarried in 2004. Don's most enjoyable "employment" was being a grandfather and "nanny" to his granddaughter Allyson for the first two years of her life and providing after school and summer daycare for grandson Calvin. Many Phoenix residents have probably had contact with Don if they visited or called the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. Since 2005, Don was the cheery, friendly, knowledgeable voice you would talk to when calling, or encounter as a visitor the Parks and Recreation Department. His infectious laugh and ability to go the extra mile for visitors and callers made the day brighter for all those who came in contact with Don. Don was friends with everyone! Don and Barbara enjoyed being together, and they loved to travel and volunteer. They volunteered at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 1996 and 2008 Super Bowls held in Phoenix, the Arizona Aloha Festival in Phoenix and many other events. One of Don's favorite volunteer experiences was the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy in 2006. Don was assigned to the main press center, and again provided excellent service to the world press covering the event. He was to have assumed the same responsibilities and provide the same excellent service at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; however, Don and Barbara watched the Olympics from their room overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Pointe at Poipu in Kauai, Hawaii. So instead of snow, rain and cold they enjoyed the games while listening to the waves crash upon the volcanic cliffs and feel the warm tropical breeze of Hawaii. Don enjoyed playing Bingo, going to Las Vegas and gardening, although he never quite got the hang of "desert gardening." His valiant efforts were not wasted as the flowers gave both Don and Barbara enjoyment, and allowed granddaughter Allyson to pick numerous bouquets for "Nana and PopPop." Don spent many hours with the grandchildren, taking them to movies, amusement parks, Encanto Park in Phoenix, playing dolls and ponies with Ally, building Lego structures and going to the origami club with Calvin, or just swinging on the porch talking and telling stories. Don loved football, he had season tickets to the Arizona Cardinals and followed his "home team" the Colts. Visitation will be held at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 West Bethany Home Road in Phoenix on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 North Central Avenue in Phoenix on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., with interment at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street in Phoenix immediately following mass. The family would like to thank Hospice Team B, the home team, and all the staff at Coronado Home for the warmth, guidance, comfort, friendship, and loving care that they gave Don and extended to his family. This was very reassuring to Barbara, Jessica, and Don's siblings, Barb, Mary, and Ray, who were here for his final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Don's memory to Hospice of the Valley, Coronado Home, 340 East Coronado Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date in Indianapolis, Indiana.