Obituary for Max Baker
The Honorable Max A. Baker, 75, formerly of Egg Harbor Township, passed away peacefully with his wife, Arlene, and his daughter, Jessica, by his side, in his home in Boynton Beach, FL, on May 26, 2022.
Born in Atlantic City to Thelma (Rich) and Samuel Baker, Judge Baker grew up in Wildwood. He enjoyed a childhood full of cousins and close community. Working in his parents’ shoe store honed the fierce work ethic he carried throughout his life. After graduating from Wildwood High School in 1964, he attended New York University. He then enrolled in Boston University Law School but interrupted his studies to serve in Vietnam. While never a supporter of the war, Judge Baker was proud to serve his country, and his years in the service had a profound impact on him. After the military, he completed his law degree. He returned to South Jersey to clerk for Judge Francis and then go into private practice. Judge Baker built a successful law practice specializing in family law, for which he was highly respected by his peers in the legal community. In 1998 he was nominated to the Superior Court of New Jersey, where he served in the family division for twelve years and as presiding judge for five years. He eventually transferred to the criminal division, where he sat on the bench until he retired in 2013.
Judge Baker loved to travel and play golf, and he filled his retirement with both activities in the loving company of his wife, Arlene. They moved to Florida full-time in 2014, where they formed a close-knit circle of friends, which provided an active and gregarious social life united by a love of golf. Judge Baker maintained his interest in civic leadership, serving on multiple boards and committees within their community.
In addition to Arlene, he is survived by his daughter, Jessica; son-in-law, Patrick; grandsons Sam and Finn; and his brother, William.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 11am at Congregation Beth Israel, 2501 Shore Road, in Northfield. Interment will follow in Beth Kehillah Cemetery, Egg Harbor Twp.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Neustadter Pancreatic Cancer Fund, PO Box 3265, Margate, NJ 08402.
Born in Atlantic City to Thelma (Rich) and Samuel Baker, Judge Baker grew up in Wildwood. He enjoyed a childhood full of cousins and close community. Working in his parents’ shoe store honed the fierce work ethic he carried throughout his life. After graduating from Wildwood High School in 1964, he attended New York University. He then enrolled in Boston University Law School but interrupted his studies to serve in Vietnam. While never a supporter of the war, Judge Baker was proud to serve his country, and his years in the service had a profound impact on him. After the military, he completed his law degree. He returned to South Jersey to clerk for Judge Francis and then go into private practice. Judge Baker built a successful law practice specializing in family law, for which he was highly respected by his peers in the legal community. In 1998 he was nominated to the Superior Court of New Jersey, where he served in the family division for twelve years and as presiding judge for five years. He eventually transferred to the criminal division, where he sat on the bench until he retired in 2013.
Judge Baker loved to travel and play golf, and he filled his retirement with both activities in the loving company of his wife, Arlene. They moved to Florida full-time in 2014, where they formed a close-knit circle of friends, which provided an active and gregarious social life united by a love of golf. Judge Baker maintained his interest in civic leadership, serving on multiple boards and committees within their community.
In addition to Arlene, he is survived by his daughter, Jessica; son-in-law, Patrick; grandsons Sam and Finn; and his brother, William.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 11am at Congregation Beth Israel, 2501 Shore Road, in Northfield. Interment will follow in Beth Kehillah Cemetery, Egg Harbor Twp.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Neustadter Pancreatic Cancer Fund, PO Box 3265, Margate, NJ 08402.