James Edward Baker

James Edward Baker, 83, of 21211 CCC Memorial Hwy, Emporium, passed away on Wednesday (April 5th, 2017), at Lakeview Senior Care & Living Center, Smethport. Born August 7th 1933, in Springdale, PA, he was the son of the late James A. and Frances S. Baker. On January 22, 1955, in Westfield, NY, he married Sandra Fox, who survives.

Jim attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania on a football scholarship, received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1955 and later, a Master of Science degree from Penn State University in 1966. In 1958, after teaching for a short period at Plum High School in Pittsburgh, he moved his family to Emporium where he was a teacher of Biology and Zoology at Cameron County High School from 1958 to 1991. Although an inspired educator, “Mr. Baker” is perhaps best known as a coach. From 1960 to 1968 he headed the football program at CCHS. In 1968, he initiated the first wrestling program to which he applied the acronym “BAGUBA” (Brutally Aggressive Guys Uninhibited By Adversity), a trademark of CCHS wrestling that endures to this day. During his 6-year tenure, he coached 6 District IX champions and 21 D-9 place winners, amassing a career record of 44 wins, 38 losses and 1 tie. His legacy continued for decades with his son, who wrestled and also coached, and all three of his grandsons were BAGUBA wrestlers. After retiring as head coach, Jim became a PIAA wrestling official from 1976 to 1987. In 2014, he was awarded the BAGUBA Wrestling “Lifetime of Dedication” award and in 2016 he was inducted into the District IX Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Jim loved spending time with his family. He had a passion for firearms and also enjoyed gardening, fishing, and hunting.

In addition to his wife Sandy of 62 years, he is survived by a son, Scott (Kay) Baker of Emporium, and three daughters, Kim (the late Nick) Farina of Emporium, Kelly (Jeffrey) Wong of Stevensville, MD, and Kerry (Michael) Etchepare of Emporium, and a foster daughter, Roberta de Rosa of Warwick, RI; 6 grandchildren (Paul Baker, Mike Baker, Abby Etchepare, Paul Etchepare, Kristi Wong and Anna Wong) and one great-granddaughter (Jade Baker). He is also survived by a sister, Maxine Petrovsky of St. Petersburg, FL.

In addition to his parents and one son-in-law, he was preceded in death by a brother, Carlyn D. Baker, and a sister, Dorothy DeFelices.

There will be no public funeral service. The family is planning a private memorial at a later date.

Jim firmly believed in supporting youth activities in Cameron County.  Donations in his memory may be made to Cameron County BAGUBA Wrestling, 374 Meadow Rd, Emporium, PA 15834, or to Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities (CCOYA), 174 Nickler Rd, Emporium, PA 15834.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Coppersmith-Condon Funeral Home, Emporium.