George Baker

AUSTINTOWN - George Baker, 94, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2019, at his home with his family by his side.

George was born in Youngstown on May 29, 1924, a son of the late Michael and Julia Luba Baker, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and then proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Mr. Baker worked for U.S. Steel at the Ohio Works, retiring when the mill closed in 1980. He then worked for McDonald Steel for several years before retiring for good.

George was a member of St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, where he was a church councilman and festival worker, and he volunteered making and selling pyrohy and kolachi for the church.

He was an avid golfer and a member of the St. Anne / Holy Trinity Golf League, and a member of the YDIGA Golf League. In his younger days, George enjoyed fishing and bowling.

George’s beloved wife of 61 years, Mary O. Kohut Baker, whom he married Oct. 17, 1948, passed away Aug. 12, 2010.

He leaves his daughter, Georgette Centafanti, with whom he made his home; his son, Gregory S. (Frances) Baker of Austintown; four grandchildren, Dale Polchies, Matthew Centafanti, Sonya Baker, and Douglas Centafanti Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Marissa and Angela; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, two brothers, Michael and John Baker; a sister, Julia Hlavaty; and a son-in-law, Douglas P. Centafanti Sr., are deceased.

Family and friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, on the northeast corner of Kirk and Raccoon Roads in Austintown, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., followed by military honors.

Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown at a later date, where George will be laid to rest next to his wife.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

The Baker family sincerely thanks Dr. Glenn Novak for all of his care and compassion during George’s lengthy illness, and thanks to the staff of Hospice of the Valley for the kindness shown and care given to George during his final days.

Memorial contributions may be made in George's name to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, OH  44512.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.