Carl Bernard Baker died May 9, 2009. Carl grew up on the Virginia State University campus in Ettrick, VA, the only son of Anita Howard Baker and William Kenneth Baker. He graduated from Petersburg High School after completing several years at the Saint Emma Military Academy. A sports enthusiast, he played high school football, basketball and excelled in track and field. After attending Hampton University, he served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and later, the U.S. Air Force as an electronic technician. After discharge, he started a career in Public Relations in Washington, D.C. Carl loved learning new things. He taught electrical skills to students at the American Home Builders Institute in Washington, D.C. He realized then that helping young people achieve goals was important. He enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia where he completed a Master of Science in Library Science and Information Technology. Shortly after completing his graduate studies, he moved to New Haven. Carl began a career in education at the Eli Whitney Regional Vocational School teaching Blue Print Reading, Computer Skills, and serving as the track coach. As much as he enjoyed teaching, he loved coaching track even more. He took a personal interest in all of his students, particularly his track team. He taught computer technology at the New Haven Adult Education Center. He was as passionate about working with adults as with the younger students. In recent years, he spent his summers teaching computer skills for the Aspirations for Higher Learning and Excel Programs. After retirement from teaching, he focused on photography interests. Carl was a published writer of poetry and prose, a chess enthusiast, a history and music lover, member of the New Haven African American Historical Society, and cherished his private time for religious study. He leaves wonderful memories for his wife, Carolyn Croom Baker, two daughters, Carla Renee Baker Dowell (Haywood) of California, and Leora Duggans Murchison of North Carolina, two sons, Claude Eugene Bradley of Connecticut and Kenneth Lamont Baker of Arizona and one God-child, Gabrielle Gianna Carr. He is survived by grand children, great grand children, relatives, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite youth organization. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, May 15, 2009 at 11 AM at Community Baptist Church, 143 Shelton Ave New Haven, CT 06511. Interment is private. Services by The Howard K. Hill Funeral Services 1287 Chapel Street New Haven. To leave a message of comfort for the Baker family, please visit www.howardkhillfuneralhome.com.