Paul Baker / Founder of Jenny Lee Bakery
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette APR 17, 2004 12:00 AM
Once, when Scott Baker was a boy, he took a piece of candy from his sister. His grandfather, Paul Baker, was furious.
"He said, 'You don't take anything from anybody, not even a pencil. You never steal,' " Scott Baker said of his grandfather, the founder of Jenny Lee Bakery. "He taught me more about life than about baking, both in the way he lived his life and the way he ran his business.
"He had more ethics, morals and convictions than anyone I've known in life."
Paul Baker, 90, of Ingram, who died suddenly yesterday after a heart attack, passed those lessons and ethics on to many -- his three sons, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and eight younger siblings, including Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. Employees also benefited.
"He was straight A's, so look what we had to live up to. He was first in his class from the day he started school," Knoll said.
"Thank God he gave us a good example," she added. "That's what it's all about."
Knoll said her brother's other big legacy was founding Jenny Lee, which continued a family profession begun by Mr. Baker's grandfather, who had a bakery in the West End. Mr. Baker's father and six uncles turned that into a wholesale outfit called Seven Baker Brothers that once employed 400. Mr. Baker started Jenny Lee just as the brothers were ending their business, Knoll said.
Mr. Baker's son, Bernard Baker, of Moon, now is president, and Bernard's son Scott is vice president.
"He brought me to work when I was a kid, and he taught me the right way to do things," said Bernard Baker, who stood on big cans on the floor so he could reach the board to help make pies and cookies.
"My best memory is the fact that he stressed you've got to do things right. You do it right the first time so you don't have to do it over again," he added.
"[He] stressed you should treat people the way you wanted to be treated yourself and always do what is right.
"I don't know anyone who didn't like him. There's a fellow who's worked here 55 years who my dad hired when he was like 14 years old. He [Joe Eritz] always said he felt like my dad was his dad, he treated him so well."
Eritz confirmed Bernard Baker's memory.
"He treated me like I was one of his sons," Eritz said.
Dan Konieczny, manager of the Jenny Lee in Market Square, Downtown, worked for Mr. Baker for nearly 30 years and recalled talking to him at the annual employees banquet in March.
"He was sharp, even at 90," Konieczny said. "He was good to the employees."
Mr. Baker was so sharp that he attended his usual Rotary luncheon Thursday, less than 24 hours before he died.
"He had such a concern for public service," Knoll said. "He did over 50 years on our board at Ohio Valley General Hospital and over 50 years at the Sto-Ken-Rox Boys' and Girls' Club. He never lost his zest for public service or giving to the family."
Mr. Baker also served, at one time or another, as local, state and nationwide president of the National Bakery Association.
"That's another favorite memory. He'd go to the national convention each year, and it was always in a different city and we kids always went along," his son said.
"What can I say about a brother that good?" Lt. Gov. Knoll said. "He was my big brother. He just helped me with everything."
Gov. Ed Rendell offered condolences.
"Paul was a well-respected businessman, a devoted family man and friend to many throughout the Pittsburgh area, and his passing will certainly impact many lives," Rendell said. "Our thoughts and prayers will be with the lieutenant governor and her entire family during this time."
In addition to his son, Mr. Baker is survived his wife, Bernice Roseto Baker, and by sons James, of Franklin Park, and Richard, of Carnegie.
Other surviving siblings include Mary Baird, of Mt. Lebanon; Bob Baker, of Beaver; John Baker, of Hickory; Ray Baker, of Washington, D.C.; Ethel Kosmar, of Robinson; and Amelia Hartner, of Cranberry.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jane David Baker, the mother of his children.
Other survivors include stepchildren John Roseto, of Robinson; Vince Roseto, of Pittsburgh; and Annette Carolus, of Ingram.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Hershberger-Stover Funeral Home, Crafton. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Church of the Ascension, Ingram, with burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, McKees Rocks.
Memorials may be made to Church of the Ascension or Ohio Valley General Hospital.
Contributor: Bobbi Magee (48424628) • [email protected]
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette APR 17, 2004 12:00 AM
Once, when Scott Baker was a boy, he took a piece of candy from his sister. His grandfather, Paul Baker, was furious.
"He said, 'You don't take anything from anybody, not even a pencil. You never steal,' " Scott Baker said of his grandfather, the founder of Jenny Lee Bakery. "He taught me more about life than about baking, both in the way he lived his life and the way he ran his business.
"He had more ethics, morals and convictions than anyone I've known in life."
Paul Baker, 90, of Ingram, who died suddenly yesterday after a heart attack, passed those lessons and ethics on to many -- his three sons, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and eight younger siblings, including Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. Employees also benefited.
"He was straight A's, so look what we had to live up to. He was first in his class from the day he started school," Knoll said.
"Thank God he gave us a good example," she added. "That's what it's all about."
Knoll said her brother's other big legacy was founding Jenny Lee, which continued a family profession begun by Mr. Baker's grandfather, who had a bakery in the West End. Mr. Baker's father and six uncles turned that into a wholesale outfit called Seven Baker Brothers that once employed 400. Mr. Baker started Jenny Lee just as the brothers were ending their business, Knoll said.
Mr. Baker's son, Bernard Baker, of Moon, now is president, and Bernard's son Scott is vice president.
"He brought me to work when I was a kid, and he taught me the right way to do things," said Bernard Baker, who stood on big cans on the floor so he could reach the board to help make pies and cookies.
"My best memory is the fact that he stressed you've got to do things right. You do it right the first time so you don't have to do it over again," he added.
"[He] stressed you should treat people the way you wanted to be treated yourself and always do what is right.
"I don't know anyone who didn't like him. There's a fellow who's worked here 55 years who my dad hired when he was like 14 years old. He [Joe Eritz] always said he felt like my dad was his dad, he treated him so well."
Eritz confirmed Bernard Baker's memory.
"He treated me like I was one of his sons," Eritz said.
Dan Konieczny, manager of the Jenny Lee in Market Square, Downtown, worked for Mr. Baker for nearly 30 years and recalled talking to him at the annual employees banquet in March.
"He was sharp, even at 90," Konieczny said. "He was good to the employees."
Mr. Baker was so sharp that he attended his usual Rotary luncheon Thursday, less than 24 hours before he died.
"He had such a concern for public service," Knoll said. "He did over 50 years on our board at Ohio Valley General Hospital and over 50 years at the Sto-Ken-Rox Boys' and Girls' Club. He never lost his zest for public service or giving to the family."
Mr. Baker also served, at one time or another, as local, state and nationwide president of the National Bakery Association.
"That's another favorite memory. He'd go to the national convention each year, and it was always in a different city and we kids always went along," his son said.
"What can I say about a brother that good?" Lt. Gov. Knoll said. "He was my big brother. He just helped me with everything."
Gov. Ed Rendell offered condolences.
"Paul was a well-respected businessman, a devoted family man and friend to many throughout the Pittsburgh area, and his passing will certainly impact many lives," Rendell said. "Our thoughts and prayers will be with the lieutenant governor and her entire family during this time."
In addition to his son, Mr. Baker is survived his wife, Bernice Roseto Baker, and by sons James, of Franklin Park, and Richard, of Carnegie.
Other surviving siblings include Mary Baird, of Mt. Lebanon; Bob Baker, of Beaver; John Baker, of Hickory; Ray Baker, of Washington, D.C.; Ethel Kosmar, of Robinson; and Amelia Hartner, of Cranberry.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jane David Baker, the mother of his children.
Other survivors include stepchildren John Roseto, of Robinson; Vince Roseto, of Pittsburgh; and Annette Carolus, of Ingram.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Hershberger-Stover Funeral Home, Crafton. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Church of the Ascension, Ingram, with burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, McKees Rocks.
Memorials may be made to Church of the Ascension or Ohio Valley General Hospital.
Contributor: Bobbi Magee (48424628) • [email protected]
Paul Baker / Founder of Jenny Lee Bakery
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette APR 17, 2004 12:00 AM
Once, when Scott Baker was a boy, he took a piece of candy from his sister. His grandfather, Paul Baker, was furious.
"He said, 'You don't take anything from anybody, not even a pencil. You never steal,' " Scott Baker said of his grandfather, the founder of Jenny Lee Bakery. "He taught me more about life than about baking, both in the way he lived his life and the way he ran his business.
"He had more ethics, morals and convictions than anyone I've known in life."
Paul Baker, 90, of Ingram, who died suddenly yesterday after a heart attack, passed those lessons and ethics on to many -- his three sons, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and eight younger siblings, including Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. Employees also benefited.
"He was straight A's, so look what we had to live up to. He was first in his class from the day he started school," Knoll said.
"Thank God he gave us a good example," she added. "That's what it's all about."
Knoll said her brother's other big legacy was founding Jenny Lee, which continued a family profession begun by Mr. Baker's grandfather, who had a bakery in the West End. Mr. Baker's father and six uncles turned that into a wholesale outfit called Seven Baker Brothers that once employed 400. Mr. Baker started Jenny Lee just as the brothers were ending their business, Knoll said.
Mr. Baker's son, Bernard Baker, of Moon, now is president, and Bernard's son Scott is vice president.
"He brought me to work when I was a kid, and he taught me the right way to do things," said Bernard Baker, who stood on big cans on the floor so he could reach the board to help make pies and cookies.
"My best memory is the fact that he stressed you've got to do things right. You do it right the first time so you don't have to do it over again," he added.
"[He] stressed you should treat people the way you wanted to be treated yourself and always do what is right.
"I don't know anyone who didn't like him. There's a fellow who's worked here 55 years who my dad hired when he was like 14 years old. He [Joe Eritz] always said he felt like my dad was his dad, he treated him so well."
Eritz confirmed Bernard Baker's memory.
"He treated me like I was one of his sons," Eritz said.
Dan Konieczny, manager of the Jenny Lee in Market Square, Downtown, worked for Mr. Baker for nearly 30 years and recalled talking to him at the annual employees banquet in March.
"He was sharp, even at 90," Konieczny said. "He was good to the employees."
Mr. Baker was so sharp that he attended his usual Rotary luncheon Thursday, less than 24 hours before he died.
"He had such a concern for public service," Knoll said. "He did over 50 years on our board at Ohio Valley General Hospital and over 50 years at the Sto-Ken-Rox Boys' and Girls' Club. He never lost his zest for public service or giving to the family."
Mr. Baker also served, at one time or another, as local, state and nationwide president of the National Bakery Association.
"That's another favorite memory. He'd go to the national convention each year, and it was always in a different city and we kids always went along," his son said.
"What can I say about a brother that good?" Lt. Gov. Knoll said. "He was my big brother. He just helped me with everything."
Gov. Ed Rendell offered condolences.
"Paul was a well-respected businessman, a devoted family man and friend to many throughout the Pittsburgh area, and his passing will certainly impact many lives," Rendell said. "Our thoughts and prayers will be with the lieutenant governor and her entire family during this time."
In addition to his son, Mr. Baker is survived his wife, Bernice Roseto Baker, and by sons James, of Franklin Park, and Richard, of Carnegie.
Other surviving siblings include Mary Baird, of Mt. Lebanon; Bob Baker, of Beaver; John Baker, of Hickory; Ray Baker, of Washington, D.C.; Ethel Kosmar, of Robinson; and Amelia Hartner, of Cranberry.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jane David Baker, the mother of his children.
Other survivors include stepchildren John Roseto, of Robinson; Vince Roseto, of Pittsburgh; and Annette Carolus, of Ingram.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Hershberger-Stover Funeral Home, Crafton. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Church of the Ascension, Ingram, with burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, McKees Rocks.
Memorials may be made to Church of the Ascension or Ohio Valley General Hospital.
Contributor: Bobbi Magee (48424628) • [email protected]
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette APR 17, 2004 12:00 AM
Once, when Scott Baker was a boy, he took a piece of candy from his sister. His grandfather, Paul Baker, was furious.
"He said, 'You don't take anything from anybody, not even a pencil. You never steal,' " Scott Baker said of his grandfather, the founder of Jenny Lee Bakery. "He taught me more about life than about baking, both in the way he lived his life and the way he ran his business.
"He had more ethics, morals and convictions than anyone I've known in life."
Paul Baker, 90, of Ingram, who died suddenly yesterday after a heart attack, passed those lessons and ethics on to many -- his three sons, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and eight younger siblings, including Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll. Employees also benefited.
"He was straight A's, so look what we had to live up to. He was first in his class from the day he started school," Knoll said.
"Thank God he gave us a good example," she added. "That's what it's all about."
Knoll said her brother's other big legacy was founding Jenny Lee, which continued a family profession begun by Mr. Baker's grandfather, who had a bakery in the West End. Mr. Baker's father and six uncles turned that into a wholesale outfit called Seven Baker Brothers that once employed 400. Mr. Baker started Jenny Lee just as the brothers were ending their business, Knoll said.
Mr. Baker's son, Bernard Baker, of Moon, now is president, and Bernard's son Scott is vice president.
"He brought me to work when I was a kid, and he taught me the right way to do things," said Bernard Baker, who stood on big cans on the floor so he could reach the board to help make pies and cookies.
"My best memory is the fact that he stressed you've got to do things right. You do it right the first time so you don't have to do it over again," he added.
"[He] stressed you should treat people the way you wanted to be treated yourself and always do what is right.
"I don't know anyone who didn't like him. There's a fellow who's worked here 55 years who my dad hired when he was like 14 years old. He [Joe Eritz] always said he felt like my dad was his dad, he treated him so well."
Eritz confirmed Bernard Baker's memory.
"He treated me like I was one of his sons," Eritz said.
Dan Konieczny, manager of the Jenny Lee in Market Square, Downtown, worked for Mr. Baker for nearly 30 years and recalled talking to him at the annual employees banquet in March.
"He was sharp, even at 90," Konieczny said. "He was good to the employees."
Mr. Baker was so sharp that he attended his usual Rotary luncheon Thursday, less than 24 hours before he died.
"He had such a concern for public service," Knoll said. "He did over 50 years on our board at Ohio Valley General Hospital and over 50 years at the Sto-Ken-Rox Boys' and Girls' Club. He never lost his zest for public service or giving to the family."
Mr. Baker also served, at one time or another, as local, state and nationwide president of the National Bakery Association.
"That's another favorite memory. He'd go to the national convention each year, and it was always in a different city and we kids always went along," his son said.
"What can I say about a brother that good?" Lt. Gov. Knoll said. "He was my big brother. He just helped me with everything."
Gov. Ed Rendell offered condolences.
"Paul was a well-respected businessman, a devoted family man and friend to many throughout the Pittsburgh area, and his passing will certainly impact many lives," Rendell said. "Our thoughts and prayers will be with the lieutenant governor and her entire family during this time."
In addition to his son, Mr. Baker is survived his wife, Bernice Roseto Baker, and by sons James, of Franklin Park, and Richard, of Carnegie.
Other surviving siblings include Mary Baird, of Mt. Lebanon; Bob Baker, of Beaver; John Baker, of Hickory; Ray Baker, of Washington, D.C.; Ethel Kosmar, of Robinson; and Amelia Hartner, of Cranberry.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jane David Baker, the mother of his children.
Other survivors include stepchildren John Roseto, of Robinson; Vince Roseto, of Pittsburgh; and Annette Carolus, of Ingram.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Hershberger-Stover Funeral Home, Crafton. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Church of the Ascension, Ingram, with burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, McKees Rocks.
Memorials may be made to Church of the Ascension or Ohio Valley General Hospital.
Contributor: Bobbi Magee (48424628) • [email protected]
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