Richard Baker, of Medford, born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 15, 1949, threw his final punches on March 27, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family after a long and courageous battle with dementia.

Richard sped through life with the top down and the radio up. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he spent over 20 years with AT&T before closing out his professional journey in the telecommunications department at Boston Medical Center, where he retired in 2015.

But Richard’s true calling wasn’t just in wires or wavelengths—it was in the things that made him feel alive. He was a heavyweight in the hobby ring. Whether he was weaving through traffic in his prized Corvette with the “Vettes to Vets” crew, capturing life’s moments through the lens of his camera, mentoring young boxers in the ring, or chasing birdies on the golf course, Richard never did anything halfway. His passions were many: he could strum a guitar like he was born with one in hand, deliver a perfectly timed joke, and lose himself in the smooth rhythms of Motown and Jazz. His dance moves were as slick as his left jab. As the lead guitarist in his band, Richard’s soundtrack was always playing—usually an oldies tune he couldn’t help but sing along to.

A self-proclaimed food connoisseur (and a pasta-tively unapologetic one), Richard never turned down a green pepper pizza or passed by a cannoli untouched. He believed in savoring life’s pleasures—especially dessert. “Life’s short,” he’d say to Ashley and Suzanne, “eat the dessert first!”

Richard’s greatest love, though, was his family. He leaves behind his father, Richard L. Baker; his devoted sister, Suzanne Baker; his daughter and partner-in-crime, Ashley Baker; and Ashley’s son, Antonio Baker, who knew him as his beloved “PaPa Nonno.” He is also survived by his sons, Jarrett Baker and his wife Denise, and Keith Baker and his wife Cliodhna, and their sons, Shea and Senan. Along with his cousin, Sandy Listro. Richard now rejoins his all-time corner crew—his beloved wife, Bonnie Baker, and his dear mother, Mary Baker.

Though Richard has now hung up his gloves, his fighting spirit remains—ever present, always in our corner, cheering us on. He was our champ. And in true champion fashion, he went the distance, filling our lives with joy, music, laughter, and love. So here’s to our beloved champ—may he float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, and find eternal peace in the great afterlife.

Services for Richard will be held at Boston Cremation located at 287 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148 on April 23, 2025 from 10am-12pm.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Friends of Medford Recreation. https://givebutter.com/fomr-in-memory-richard-baker