Matt Baker's Memorial Children's Scholarship Fund

Matt was a talented chef at the Crowne Plaza in Lake Placid, a job he was good at and enjoyed. He often shared his talents and knowledge with anyone who showed interest. If you ever had a great meal at the Golf Club over the last five years or the main restaurant when the Club was closed - Matt likely had his hand on your meal.

Matt chose to move to Lake Placid to make a better life for his beautiful spouse Rachael and their three children - James, Raena and Rouxby. Believing this small town was an ideal location to raise their children in safety and opportunity and for him to provide the life he wanted for them, Matt and Rachael embraced their new life. When Matt wasn't at work, he and Rachael patronized the other restaurants in town and were known to enjoy a date night at the local adult beverage establishments.

Matt was called home suddenly at age 47 leaving his family bereft and without support. Because of COVID-19 - he was was furloughed and then called back a few months later, but the things he had worked towards - especially his benefits - were not the same. They have no answers as to why he died or if there is any help to be had.

Matt was forced to wear a heavy mask (Covid-19 New York State requirements) in a very hot environment - a large restaurant kitchen 5 to 6 days a week which weakened his heart and he was not able to see a doctor to see why he was always tired.

Now his life partner of 14 years is left trying to care for these great children without any hope of having a celebration of life for their dad, and no opportunity to go to college. Each child has special needs and their Mom needs to be home to manage them through the grief and on-going difficulties of distance learning. Please help give these children a future. 

I am the children’s grandmother and we are not financially able to help with all the expenses of laying Matt to rest, to pay for the celebration of life his spouse and children desperately need to deal with this horrific loss and to give these three children a good advanced education — whether through University or trade schools which was their father’s ardent wish that they could support themselves in the future.

So we have established a Scholarship fund where every penny will be placed in a special educational investment account for the sole purpose of launching each child on the path of being a self-sufficient adult.