James ‘Ed’ Baker, 64, retired executive

James Edward “Ed” Baker of 18 Fairfield Court, a retired executive who enjoyed traveling around North America on his limited-edition Harley Davidson motorcycle, died at his home on Monday, Aug. 13, after a short battle with bladder cancer. He was 64 and the husband of Ann Dixon Baker.
Mr. Baker was born on April 11, 1937, in Tulsa, Okla., a son of the late James Lesley and Anna Simms Baker. He graduated with a degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and obtained his MBA in finance from Southern Methodist University.
In 1957, Mr. Baker married his college sweetheart, Ann Dixon. They would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary this Friday.
After working for a number of years in Oklahoma and Texas for Sinclair Oil, Lonestar Gas, and Sun Oil, Mr. Baker went to work for Lazard Freres & Company in New York City. Though he had planned to spend only five years there, he wound up working 29 years for the investment banking firm, retiring in 1999 as vice president of natural resources.
The Bakers moved to Ridgefield in 1970. Not long afterward, friends introduced him to motorcycling. He started off with a Vespa scooter and eventually acquired a limited-edition gold and black Harley Davidson motorcycle, built on the occasion of the company’s 75th anniversary.
Mr. Baker and his wife traveled by motorcycle in many parts of the country, and he was a member of a group of senior Harley owners known as The Retreads.
Mr. Baker, who loved music and especially marches, often combined motorcycles and music. “Some Ridgefield residents may recall his riding through downtown while playing John Phillip Sousa marches for all to hear,” a family member said.
Mr. Baker also enjoyed tennis and card playing, especially bridge. His other interests included hunting, fishing, playing golf, and reading, with a keen interest in math and history, primarily the Civil War.
“He was a very interesting man,” said his son-in-law, Paul Gervais of Ridgefield. “He was very diverse in his interests, very educated, and very well read.”
Besides his wife, Mr. Baker is survived by a son: Jeff Baker and his wife, Catalina, of Danbury; a daughter, Sherry Gervais and her husband, Paul, of Ridgefield; a sister: Shirley Rossiter of Tulsa; four grandchildren: Annie and Alison Baker, and Amanda and Andre Gervais; and by many nieces and nephews.
Services will take place on Friday at 11 in the First Congregational Church.
The family will receive friends in Lund Hall of the First Congregational Church after the service.
Contributions in Mr. Baker’s memory may be made to one’s favorite charity.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.