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Jesse Eugene (Gene) Baker, 80, a resident of Albuquerque since 1993, died peacefully on March 16, 2000. He formerly was a 53 year-resident of Elmhurst, Illinois. He was born on December 17, 1919 in Havelock, Nebraska to Mary Emery and Arthur Baker. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eleanor Virginia Baker, their children Robert Baker, Mary Anne Giangola, and husband, Tony, grandchildren, Christopher Norton, Jessica Norton, Tanya Giangola and Troy Giangola. Gene served in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy in WWII. He retired as a Lieutenant from the Elmhurst, Illinois Fire Department after 34 years of service. He was a founder of the Illinois Professional Firefighters Assn. (IPFA) and served as its Executive Director from 1970-1992. He worked tirelessly for development of the fire service in the State of Illinois and to safeguard pension benefits for firefighters and their survivors. He also served as Executive Director of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division from 1986-1992. He will be remembered most by family and friends for his energy, generosity, and for his devotion to his wife, Eleanor. Cryptside services will be held, Saturday, 10:00 a.m., at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, 7500 Paseo del Norte NE. Pallbearers will be IPFA members and 10th Mountain Div. Veterans. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial donations may be made in Gene's name to the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, Inc., 1776 So. Jackson St., Suite 603, Denver, CO, 80210.
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