Terrible news arrived the other night that Ted Baker had unexpectely passed away on Friday, February 7 at age 74. Ted showed up at club in November 2004, played in his first tournament, and then immediately became one of our indispensable members. He served as club Secretary for many years and was a TD or assistant for over 300 sections of Thursday night and weekend events over the next 20 years. His quiet nature probably obscured some of his most important contributions to the club, but Ted had his hand in the background (at least) of most club activities the past two decades. He didn’t wait to be asked for help, but constantly volunteered before there was any request for assistance. He and his wife Monique Kolonko were responsible for securing the St. Anne’s Children’s Center for the Collyer tournament. That venue was excellent — probably the best Collyer location we ever had — and it was hard when the facility was renovated in a manner that left it unusable for us. For those of you with a basketball bent, he was one of the ultimate “glue guys” who hold a team together — not all of his contributions make the reported statistical categories, but they are vital for a winning team.
Ted also traveled to Missoula most years for the Turkey Open. He had dozens of chess friends here and many in Montana. At his request, there will be no services, so I am hoping that his friends who want to remember him here submit a comment. I will approve and post them as fast as I can!
Ted’s Hennessey Funeral Home tribute link: Tribute for William Theodore Baker | Hennessey Funeral Home & Crematory
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