Thomas Harvey Baker (Papa City, Uncle Tom), son of Frank and Ruth Baker passed peacefully at home with his family after a short but fierce battle with cancer on June 29th, 2026. Tom is survived by his wife and partner of more than 63 years, Susan, his daughter, Amy Deitrich and her husband Bill, and their son Robert, of Landenberg, PA, and his son, Scott of Boynton Beach, FL. He is also survived by two special friends of 40 plus years and their families: Chuck Peipher and his son Adam and daughter Chaya of Kennett Square, PA, and John Peipher, his wife Susan, sons Matthew and Ryan and daughter Emily of Lititz, PA. He was predeceased by his daughter Lynn, who died shortly after her birth in 1968.
Tom, a native of Wilmington DE, was a graduate of Wilmington Friends School, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina (MBA). He met his wife, Sue, when they both worked for DuPont one summer while they were in college.
Tom was an accountant for DuPont for over 30 years, working in Photo Products, Polymers Products and finally the Finance Department. After DuPont, he was an accountant for the Delaware Community Foundation, tire recycling company in Maine, a large Wilmington law firm, and finally retired as the comptroller of the Delaware Symphony Association.
In 1966, he and Sue returned to Wilmington from New Jersey and became advisers to the senior high group at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. Tom also was an advisor to Explorer Post 99 and coordinated a tutoring program at the Presbyterian Church of Our Savior for children in the Riverside community. After moving into Wilmington in 1974, he was a chair of the property committee, an elder and treasurer at West Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. He was also active in the Triangle Neighborhood Association, serving as its president for several years.
Tom’s basement garage became a classroom on evenings and weekends as he mentored and taught many to repair and restore vehicles. Tom is also survived by his favorite car, “Gertrude”, a 1934 Master Chevrolet.
In the early 2000’s Tom renovated and sold several houses in Wilmington near his neighborhood. After West closed in 2009, he joined Hanover Street Presbyterian Church, serving as elder, treasurer and chair of the finance committee. He and another member also did maintenance and painting at Hanover.
For many years Tom and Sue loved the many weeks a year at their vacation home in Maine. Recently Tom passionately volunteered at Riverview Cemetery, where his great grandparents are buried, resetting and raising sunken head stones, weeding, and mowing.
The family wants to thank Dr.’s Ries, Palange, Appel, and Mahli of Christiana Care for their amazing compassion, help, guidance and support during his recent illnesses.
There will be a memorial service and reception at Hanover Street Presbyterian Church, 1801 N Jefferson St, Wilmington, DE 19802 on Saturday July 11th, 2026 at 2PM. Interment at Gracelawn Cemetery will be private.
