East Hampstead, NH: James H. "Jim" Baker 52, a resident of East Hampstead since 1999, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from natural causes, at his home.

Born, raised and educated in Methuen, MA, son of the late Earl A. and Charlotte A. (Hutton) Baker, he graduated from Methuen High School with the Class of 1982.

Jim enjoyed playing Methuen Youth Hockey, as a young man. Always interested in trucks, he worked for Vinnie Cox Trucking of Methuen where he developed a passion for tinkering with small engines.

He graduated from D & G Auto School and trucking became his life long career.  Jim was presently employed at Granite Industrial Gases of Derry for over twenty years.

He will be remembered mostly for his love and devotion to his soulmate and wife of almost eighteen years, Christine M. (Drouin) Baker. Always a romantic, his gifts to her were always specially chosen and accompanied by hand-written verses or poems.

Jim had a quick wit, a great sense of humor, a winning smile, and an infectious laugh. He was humbly generous, kind, and thoughtful, never missing an opportunity to shelter a needy friend, or contribute to a worthy cause.

His love for nature was evident by the hours he would spend hiking through his beautiful back wood property, caring for his pets and helping his wife with her flourishing garden.

When not busy with work and household chores, Jim could be found picking through antiques, playing darts, shooting pool, tinkering with his tractor collection or cheering on his favorite NASCAR heroes.

In addition to his loving wife, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sisters and brothers-in-law; Roberta (Baker) and Dean Brouder, and Marianna (Baker)and Henry Sharp, his father- in-law and mother- in- law, John and Irene (Fraize) Drouin, his brother-in-law, Jon Drouin and his companion Melanie Capsalis and her son Logan,  nephews, Ryan Brouder and his wife Katie, and Richard Sharp, nieces, Danielle Brouder, Ava Drouin, and Isabel Drouin, great nephew, Jameson Brouder, his childhood and longtime friend Kevin Cayer, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his nephew Matthew Brouder.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. His funeral service will follow at 7:15 in the funeral home. The family suggest that memorial donations be made to Hampstead Fire and Rescue, 17 Little's Lane, Hampstead, NH, or to The American Heart Association.