James Baker – Belle Vernon, Washington Township
James Baker, 83, of Belle Vernon, Washington Township, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the VA Hospital in Oakland, Pittsburgh. Born Feb. 4, 1942, in North Charleroi, he was the son of the late John and Veronica Duda Baker. A lifelong resident of the Belle Ve r n o n area, Mr. Baker was a member of the former Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, Fayette City, and St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Perryopolis. He was retired from the former Fox Grocery and SuperValu, Belle Vernon, where he worked as a warehouseman. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Naomi Athletic Club, Pricedale Russian Club, where he enjoyed playing Texas Hold’Em at the club. He was a muscle car enthusiast and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and reading the daily paper. He is survived by his three children, James G. Baker and fiancée Angela Morrison of Belle Vernon, Rebecca and Jason Giovannelli of Perryopolis, Thomas Baker of Denver, Colo.; and two grandchildren, Claire Giovannelli and Lucas Giovannelli. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Anne Nutter Baker; and two brothers, Steve Baker and John Baker. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, followed by funeral services at 8 p.m. with the Rev. Rodolfo Mejia as celebrant at PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS LLC, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183. Interment will take place in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.
