Terry Baker
Terry N. Baker, 80, passed away peacefully with his wife at side on May 29, 2026. He was born on March 13, 1946 in Oswego, New York.
He leaves behind his wife, Sue Saxhaug; daughters, Amy (George) Duvall and Julie (David) Kelly; grandsons, Andrew (Daniele) Duvall, Mitchell Duvall, Allie Dillman, and Owen Dillman (fiancee Kate Simplicio); great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Sullivan Duvall; and brother-in-law, Jim Saxhaug.
After graduating from Oswego High School in 1964, he answered the call to serve his country, joining the United States Air Force. Terry proudly served in West Berlin and Turkey as a radio intercept analyst achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. After serving in the Air Force, he continued his education at Rochester Business Institute where he was awarded an Associate Degree in Business. Terry’s career in information security took him to Kodak in Rochester NY, IBM, and financial institutions in numerous states.
After moving to Wisconsin he met his wife Sue on a hiking trip. They soon married and moved to Eagle River in 2010, where he worked remotely before retiring. Terry and Sue enjoyed living in the North Woods. They traveled throughout the area and other parts of the United States. Classic car shows were a favorite stop along the way. The ‘69 Dodge Dart GT Sport in turquoise was his favorite.
Terry’s passions extended far beyond his professional achievements. He was an avid outdoorsman, finding solace and joy in the natural world. His love for hunting deer and grouse was rivaled only by his enthusiasm for trout fishing; he never missed the excitement of opening day. Whether casting a line on the lakes and streams of Wisconsin or Lake Ontario in New York, Terry cherished both the thrill of the sport and the moments of tranquility and connection with nature.
Terry’s life was a tapestry of love, dedication, and perseverance. In his memory, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, honoring Terry’s spirit of service and community support.
A Celebration of Terry’s Life will be held in New York this fall.
The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus Hospice for the compassionate care they gave Terry in his final weeks.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com
