Irving A. Baker Obituary (1938 - 2015)

Irving Abraham Baker, age 77, born January 27, 1938 and passed away on November 15, 2015. Preceded in death by his parents, Rabbi Julius and Sema Yablok Baker and mother, Rosalynd Baker. Survived by his wife, Marcia Baker; daughter, Samantha (Theo) Sumkin; son, Stephen (Vicki) Baker; Marcia’s sons, Michael Gurevitz and Andrew Gurevitz; sister, Hilda (Don) Lytton and Haya Baker Winiarz; grandchildren, Julia, Madeline and Gabrielle Sumkin, Carly and Max Baker; brother-in-law, Donald (Nora) Rado; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lifelong resident of Columbus, Irv graduated from Bexley High School and attended Ohio State University. Co-owner of Baker Rental, in his early days he was a builder of home and apartments in Columbus and Bowling Green, Ohio. Later he was involved in property management. Irv made a lifetime commitment to the Columbus Jewish Community. Whether occupying center stage or working diligently in the wings, he always made his dynamic and supportive presence felt. He served on numerous boards including Ahavas Sholom, Wexner Heritage House, Columbus Jewish Center, as well as contributor of medical needs for the Laniado Hospital in Natanya, Israel and scholarship support for the Bar-llan University in Israel. He supported AIPAC, lifetime trustee of the Columbus Torah Academy, Past President of the Columbus Hebrew School, Honored by the Ahavas Sholom Synagogue, the state of Israel Bonds, the Israel Bonds Prime Minister’s Club, Past President of Columbus Torah Academy. One of the founders of Zusman Hospice at Wexner Heritage Village. Actively involved with Friendship Circle The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center as well as Columbus Community Kollel. As a past chair of the Columbus Jewish Foundation Unified community Endowment Campaign and a former Vice President he was instrumental in the Foundation’s Vision 2000 Unified Community Endowment Campaign effort to raise one hundred million in outright and deferred gift commitments. Irving participated in the campaign with a million dollar commitment. Irv’s underwriting of the Columbus Torah Academy High School, he considered his most meaningful charitable act. He felt in establishing a community if there are not enough funds to build both school and Synagogue that without education, there would be no need for a Synagogue. Funeral services will be held at 9:00am on Tuesday, November 17 at CONGREGATION AHAVAS SHOLOM, 2568 E. Broad St. with Rabbi David Claman officiating. Burial will follow at New Ahavas Sholom Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at 505 S. Parkview Ave. on Tuesday from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 4:30pm – 7:30pm and Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Columbus Torah Academy or Congregation Ahavas Sholom in his memory.