Mr. Baker teaches a class in 1985, one of his 44-year tenure at Xavier. 

 Xavier Mourns the Passing of Mr. Thomas Baker,

Xavier Teacher for 44 years

Mr. Thomas Baker, a legendary teacher at Xavier for 44 years, was called home to the Lord on Friday, November 7. Mr. Baker was the model of a good Christian gentleman in his dealings with students and colleagues alike.

On hearing of Mr. Baker’s passing, Mr. Michael LiVigni, Xavier’s headmaster noted: “As a teacher, Mr. Baker was known for his gentle and gentlemanly approach to the classroom and to life. Always calm, intelligent, and classy, Mr. Baker was never one to raise his voice or become agitated with his students. Mr. Baker had a keen understanding of his subject and instinctively knew how to convey this understanding to his students. As a colleague, Tom always had a kind word and a smile for everyone, even at the end of his career when it had become difficult for him to move around the building. At the end of 2007, after my first year as headmaster, Mr. Baker calmly walked in my office with a smile and said, ‘Mike, I have had a good run and I love it here, but it is time for me to go.’ Indeed, it was a good run in all ways. Mr. Baker exemplifies all that a teacher should be and for decades modeled that goodness to his students and colleagues. He will be missed.”

Mr. Patrick Dormer, a friend and colleague of Mr. Baker stated: “Tom Baker was a great example for me when I started teaching at Xavier. He was a wonderful example of how to be a caring teacher with high standards. His support to me as a young teacher and coach was invaluable. He made me feel what I was doing had value to the Xavier Community. This was a tremendous confidence boost for a young coach. So many of the track kids had Mr. Baker for class and the fact he was there every weekend meant so much to them. I will truly miss such a great man.”

New York Times Obituary, November 10, 2014
BAKER--Thomas J., of the Bronx, son of the late Thomas J. and Nellie Crane Baker, passed away on November 7, 2014. He attended Mount St. Michael High School in the Bronx, and obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Manhattan College. Tom also served for a year in the U.S. Army. He began his career as an engineer before changing to what he loved to do most teach. Tom taught Math at Xavier High School in Manhattan for 44 years. Simply put, he was devoted to Jesuit education and loved Xavier. His magnificent photographs of Xavier school activities, especially the Cross Country and Track teams, are legendary. Predeceased by his brother William. He always stayed attuned to the lives of his many nieces and nephews. Wake will be held at McNulty Funeral Home in the Bronx, 4-8pm Tuesday, November 11th and 10am-Noon, Wednesday. Funeral Mass is 12:45pm Wednesday, November 12th at Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Roberts Ave., Bronx.