George "Harold" Baker

George "Harold" Baker passed on Friday, October 16, 2026. He was 89 years old. He lived a life filled with hard work, service, accumulating ‘treasures’, and stories that could fill volumes.

He is proceeded in death by Gisela E. Baker (Née Brzoska) his wife of 56 years, his mother, Bertha “Billie” Louise Baker. Survivors include sons, Andreas (Cheryl) Baker, Michael (Maribeth) Baker, and Kenneth (Lisa) Baker, his sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Mason, nephews Marco and Benjamin, niece Sherri, grandchildren Angela, Brittany, Zachary, Dustin, Jordan, and Noah and great-grandchildren Avery, Logan, Emory, and Addison.

He contracted polio early in life and spent his early years living at Kosair Children‘s Hospital. Once recovered, he began hustling - picking up any work he could like shoeshine boy, newspapers boy, and caddy - where he participated in his first union action, striking at a local country club that brought in scab caddies.

He attended both Mt. St. Francis and Flaget High School, graduating from Flaget in 1955 and as he moved into his teenage years, work shifted from activities he could get to by walking, biking, or street car to all things cars - detailing, valet, running cars, racing, mechanic, gas station attendant and then manager.

He served in the US Navy and US Air Force, spending 3-years in Germany as an Air Traffic Controller, though interestingly met and fell in love with his Shatzie (Darling/Love), Gisela, in Louisville.

As a union railroad man, he built a career that spanned decades. Starting as a fireman, he worked his way up to hostler, brakeman, and then conductor. Most of his time was spent on freight trains running between his home rail yard in Louisville to Nashville, Evansville, and Corbin, though his happiest days were working as a conductor on Amtrak and interact with the people traveling by train.

He had a life-long passion for service. As a member of the Knights of Columbus he volunteered his time to many activities and especially their charitable work. Besides attaining 4th Degree, he also served as Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and a District Deputy and served as a Gibault Ambassador for over 30 years.

Besides the Knights, Harold volunteered at the Franciscan Soup Kitchen whenever work didn’t interfere and after retirement started as the lead cook for Tuesday’s meals and crew, making creative dishes for the population they serve - he especially loved to work the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and giving out presents to the kids.

In recognition of his years of support and outreach; in 2000 he was named a Louisville/Jefferson County Millennium Maker, received the Keys to the City (Louisville), and in 2010 earned a Bell award as an ”outstanding community volunteer”. As well, he was named a Kentucky Colonel by 3 different Governors and participated in various funding drives and events.

Visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany). His funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church (2500 St. Mary's Drive, Lanesville) with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Instead of fleeting remembrances like flowers (or a tree), Harold suggests contributing time to your favorite charitable organization, and if not possible, then a monetary gift - and suggested some of his favorites:

George "Harold" Baker passed on Friday, October 16th. He was 89 years old. He lived a life filled with hard work, service, accumulating ‘treasures’, and stories that could fill volumes.

He is proceeded in death by Gisela E. Baker (Née Brzoska) his wife of 56 years, his mother, Bertha “Billie” Louise Baker. Survivors include sons, Andreas (Cheryl) Baker, Michael (Maribeth) Baker, and Kenneth (Lisa) Baker, his sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Mason, nephews Marco and Benjamin, niece Sherri, grandchildren Angela, Brittany, Zachary, Dustin, Jordan, and Noah and great-grandchildren Avery, Logan, Emory, and Addison.

He contracted polio early in life and spent his early years living at Kosair Children‘s Hospital. Once recovered, he began hustling - picking up any work he could like shoeshine boy, newspapers boy, and caddy - where he participated in his first union action, striking at a local country club that brought in scab caddies.

He attended both Mt. St. Francis and Flaget High School, graduating from Flaget in 1955 and as he moved into his teenage years, work shifted from activities he could get to by walking, biking, or street car to all things cars - detailing, valet, running cars, racing, mechanic, gas station attendant and then manager.

He served in the US Navy and US Air Force, spending 3-years in Germany as an Air Traffic Controller, though interestingly met and fell in love with his Shatzie (Darling/Love), Gisela, in Louisville.

As a union railroad man, he built a career that spanned decades. Starting as a fireman, he worked his way up to hostler, brakeman, and then conductor. Most of his time was spent on freight trains running between his home rail yard in Louisville to Nashville, Evansville, and Corbin, though his happiest days were working as a conductor on Amtrak and interact with the people traveling by train.

He had a life-long passion for service. As a member of the Knights of Columbus he volunteered his time to many activities and especially their charitable work. Besides attaining 4th Degree, he also served as Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and a District Deputy and served as a Gibault Ambassador for over 30 years.

Besides the Knights, Harold volunteered at the Franciscan Soup Kitchen whenever work didn’t interfere and after retirement started as the lead cook for Tuesday’s meals and crew, making creative dishes for the population they serve - he especially loved to work the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and giving out presents to the kids.

In recognition of his years of support and outreach; in 2000 he was named a Louisville/Jefferson County Millennium Maker, received the Keys to the City (Louisville), and in 2010 earned a Bell award as an ”outstanding community volunteer”. As well, he was named a Kentucky Colonel by 3 different Governors and participated in various funding drives and events.

Visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany). His funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church (2500 St. Mary's Drive, Lanesville) with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Instead of fleeting remembrances like flowers (or a tree), Harold suggests contributing time to your favorite charitable organization, and if not possible, then a monetary gift - and suggested some of his favorites:

Gibault:  www.gibault.org/donate, The Franciscan Kitchen:  www.franciscankitchen.org/donate, Kosair for Kids:  www.kosair.org/donate-now, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:  www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html, Kentucky Colonels:  www.kycolonels.org/philanthrophy.