Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Joseph M Baker III (Age 71)

Of Edgewater, MD, passed away January 17, 2023, just days after his 47th anniversary to his dear wife Elaine. Joe was the son of the late Joseph M Baker Jr and Bernice Maupin Baker of Annapolis, MD. Joe is also preceded in passing by his sister Rebecca (Becky) Baker and surviving sisters Cynthia Baker and Susan Kalergis and brother Robert Baker. He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine Baker of Edgewater. 

Joe led a wonderful life growing up in his early years in Edgewater, MD, with his grandparents in New Smyrna Beach, FL., and his teen years in Lindamoor on the Severn. It was in these places his love of the water began. Joe graduated from Annapolis High in 1969 in the years of the music of his favorite band The Beatles. He was popular among his classmates, broke a few sweet ladies’ hearts, and blessed his presence amongst his close buds of questionable scruples.

Joe began his real adventures at the age of 17 serving as a mate on the luxury liner SS Brasil sailing to the Scandinavian Countries and then the following summer into the Caribbean. This was the nurturing of his love for the open water.

 Joe originally planned on becoming an airline pilot attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University but changed plans and received a Bachelor of Science Business degree from the University of Maryland. However, Joe continued to pursue his interest in flying by getting his private pilot license at age 22 and borrowing a good friend’s old plane, he got his taildragger certification out of a little grass strip in Deale, MD. 

Joe fell in love and married his sweetheart Elaine Brynarsky of Harwood in 1976. It was a team that led to greater things. After Joe finished working for three years at the American Society of Association Executives “the Baker Team” founded Impressions in 1980, a small printing company. With hard work and dedication, Impressions was consistently in the Top 100 Printers nationally and the Top 10 in sales per employee. They sold the company in 1997 and retired to a life on the water split between Edgewater and Juno Beach FL. 

Joe’s love of the water was evidenced by his first boat at 14, to ski boats, all the way to his beautiful big Hatteras. Whether running for sails or bonitos or bass or trout, Joe loved to fish. He fished in the mountain lakes and rivers of Arkansas to the ocean off Ocean City, MD, and Palm Beach FL. If he wasn’t around the water, he wanted to be out on the road on his Harley with friends. Adventures on his various Harleys took him all the way across this country several times, with trips often through the Rockies, from California to Washington State and up into Canada, into the Blue Ridge mountains, along the eastern seaboard all the way to the Florida Keys. He was most proud of taking care of his bike and especially finishing the Iron Butt challenge of 1000 miles in under 24 hours. More than the road dust he was coated with, more than the sea spray in his face, more than the big fish he caught was the gathering of lifelong friends. His greatest love was sharing the great experiences in life.

 In the end, his bike tag said it all, his final comment for his last big trip. AWOL.



                                                            Obituary

 

Joseph M Baker III (Age 71)

Of Edgewater, MD, passed away January 17, 2023, just days after his 47th anniversary to his dear wife Elaine. Joe was the son of the late Joseph M Baker Jr and Bernice Maupin Baker of Annapolis; MD. Joe is also preceded in passing by his sister Rebecca (Becky) Baker and surviving sisters Cynthia Baker and Susan Kalergis and brother Robert Baker. He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine Baker of Edgewater. 

Joe graduated from Annapolis High School in 1969 and went on to receive his Business degree from the University of MD. He founded a printing company, Impressions, Inc in 1980 and it was consistently in the Top 100 printers nationally and in the Top 10 in sales per employee. He sold the company in 1997 and retired with Elaine to a life on the water of boating and fishing or on the road on his Harley exploring this great country. In all things was Elaine a big part of his life and accomplishments. They were the Baker Team. He will be greatly missed by many friends spanning more than 60 years. In memory of Joe and the great work of Hospice people please feel free to donate to the Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center at The Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122. Online <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/">Here</a>



Joseph M. Baker, III

Joseph M. Baker, III

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