Roland E. Baker
June 16, 1951 ~ October 25, 2022
Resided in:
Sanford, Maine
Roland “Butch” E. Baker MD, our rock, our father, brother, Pappy, uncle, friend, and dear husband, passed away unexpectedly, October 25, 2022. He was with the people that he loved, in a place that he loved, doing what he loved.
Roland was born in Patuxant River, MD to Lt. Cmdr Philip Baker and Constance (Bouchard) Baker. His military family moved multiple times, but upon his father’s retirement, they settled in Madawaska, ME.
Roland attended the US Naval Academy and earned degrees at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Vermont, and the University of Vermont School of Medicine in 1984. He finished his OB/Gyn residency at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT in 1988. Afterwards, Roland joined Center For Women’s Health and practiced at Goodall Hospital in Sanford, ME and Frisbee Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH. Roland retired in 2014 after 26 years in medicine. He loved the people he worked with and his many patients.
Roland and Colleen (Paradis) married in 1973, in Jamestown, Long Island, NY. They met in high school and were married for 47 years. They had an eventful but enjoyable life together with all its ups and downs. Together they managed through. They were blessed with their only child, Graham, in 1983.
From our perspective, to know Roland was to love him. We loved him for his inability to roll his rrrrs when trying to speak French, his long highly detailed stories, his ability to solve problems, his selflessness, his patience. He was a hard worker and put others first. We especially loved that, in our eyes, he was a great man and incredible father and husband.
Roland loved electronic gadgets, they frustrated him terribly until he managed to figure them out; he loved science fiction; he loved music, from Motown to Bocelli to smooth jazz; he loved nature and being at the camp with his camp neighbors. We firmly know that he loved his family too.
Roland was predeceased by his parents, siblings Frank and Constance. He is survived by his wife, Colleen; his son Graham and his wife, Hana (Poulin); brother Philip, brother Jeff and his wife, Phyllis, his grandchildren, his heart, Ryenn and Avi; cousins, Ellie Baker, Cricket, Roy, Tom, Fran Bouchard; his in-laws Irvin and Cindy Paradis, Ryan and Marilyn Paradis, Judy Paradis, Cal and Marie Bohovich, and a loving extended family.
A Funeral Service for Roland will be held on Monday, November 14th at 11AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, ME. Burial with military honors will be private for the family at the Southern Maine Veteran’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to a local Food Pantry.
Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com
Click this link to view additional details about Roland's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/roland-baker
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I am most fortunate for knowing and working with him. I am a better person, because of his kindness.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
His kindness and also his strength. He would fight for the patients in his care and for those of us who worked with him. He was forever thanking those of us who worked for him. He would say, “without you we wouldn’t have our practice.”
We send our deepest sympathy to Colleen and Graham and family for the sudden loss of Butch. It was a pleasure to work with Butch. He cared deeply for his patients. He was an excellent surgeon and an accomplished obstetrician. He was always available at a moment’s notice to come and assist. Butch helped so many women in our community. Rest in peace my colleague and friend.
He was the best grandfather I could’ve ever asked for he was always so kind and he was such a smart man. I will never forget him.
He was always there for me and was truly the best grandfather I could’ve asked for in proud I can say Roland baker is my grandfather.
He taught me how to clean a gun it’s a small memory and wasn’t long but that’s why I cherish it.
He always gave great advice and him just being the jolly kindhearted man he was always helped
His mind. He always had a answer no matter the question
I can’t choose a favorite there are so many amazing memories I made with him. But any memory when he was smiling was my favorite.
His passion for cool little gadgets even though he got frustrated while figuring them out it was always so fun.
The time he took me shooting up at camp in Fort Kent that’s a true golden memory.
Always so kind and considerate
Loving, smart, funny, great story teller.
He picked me up from work once and when we got to the drive way of my house he asked me how to work his Bluetooth on his car and we spent almost a extra hour trying to figure out how to.
Caring and a super genius taught me so many things
He was my grandfather and I’m proud to be able to call him my Pappy
He was the best grandfather I could’ve ever asked for he taught me so many good things that I’ll never forget I’m proud to say he was my grandfather
Dr Baker was a kind and compassionate man. I worked with him at Goodall and was also a patient of his. He was loved by all.
Butch was a generous, compassionate and tenacious man. I hope Colleen and his family have peace and comfort.
I was classmates with Butch at the University of Maine at Fort Kent
Colleen
I am writing Christmas cards, as usual after the holidays and noticed we had not received a card from you which made me look Butch up.
And now I know why. I am so sorry.
Butch was one of the kindest, what you see is what you get people I know. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
I was one of his last patients before he retired. He was one of the most concerned and on hand Doctor I have ever experienced.
I will miss knowing he is not here, but know he is in Heaven. Thank you ! You were the best❤️
I want to express my condolences. What an amazing man, Dr. Baker was. I was lucky enough to work close to him and also to be a patient of his for the birth of both of my children. He saved my daughter’s life and he always made his patient’s feel valued. No matter how busy he was. His bedside manner was reassuring and his confidence in his skills were comforting. He always took the time to explain everything. He also used to sneak me in for a quick peak at my babies during my pregnancies, just so I could catch a glimpse. He had a heart of gold. RIP, my friend.
We are sorry for your loss Colleen, Graham and Family. Butch was a wonderful Dr. and a great neighbor. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Jim and Leslie Philippe
I was one of his last pregnant patients, and when he was listening to my daughters heartbeat, he asked if he could listen a bit longer because it would be one of the last ones he would listen to while in practice before he retired. Very special moment for me. Will never forget!
Thinking of you all and sending heartfelt prayers. So many memories from so many years working together
As a young physician right out of residency, I had the privilege of working with Butch who was my senior partner and mentor. Butch was a compassionate physician, skilled surgeon and dedicated colleague who was always there to all in need. It was an privilege to have worked with him and to have call him a friend. My sincere condolences to Colleen, Graham and his family at this time.
I worked for Center for Women’s Health. First was a patient there for many years. Dr Baker was a great guy. VERY mellow and soft spoken. I am saddened to see that he passed away. Many condolences to his family for their great loss.
Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of Butch. May your memories of him leave you with kind thoughts. Our prayers are with you during this great loss.
What I remember about Dr. Baker is that his patients loved him. And if they were a Dr Baker patient, that’s who they would only see.
My name is Bob Bellefleur and I met Butch and his sister Connie in 5th or 6th grade at Acadia School in Madawaska, Maine. We were in all the same classes until we graduated high school in 1970. I think I only saw Butch one time after graduation and that was at his Mom’s funeral. I remember him as very intelligent with a great sense of humor, bordering on the absurd, (a la Monty Python). He was a great friend in high school and I expect he was a wonderful husband, dad and colleague. My condolences to his wife and son and all of his relatives and friends and especially to his grandson Avi. It is abundantly clear that he will miss him greatly.
I could always be myself with him. No need to put on airs. He was as homespun as they come: a good ole New England boy. Love you, my friend. I’ll see you when I see you.
My sincere condolences to the whole Baker family. Dr Baker was an amazing man who had the biggest heart and was a joy to be around. He will be deeply missed.
I had the pleasure of working with Dr Baker and seeing him treat every patient like his own family member.