Frederick J Baska

Frederick John Baska, Jr., 57, of Fort Gratiot, passed away surrounded by his wife and two daughters on Monday, March 7, 2016 in Blue Water Hospice Home, Marysville.

He was born December 8, 1958 in Port Huron, to the late Frederick J. and Mary C. “Chris” Baska.

Fred was a 1977 graduate of Cros-Lex High School. After graduation he moved to Chicago, where he studied Electronic Technology at Devry Institute of Technology. He started his 29 year career as an Installation Service Engineer for Siemens Medical Solutions in 1980.

He met his wife of 30 years, Donna Hughes, in 1981. They were married on July 19, 1986 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, Glendale Heights, IL. Fred learned many skills from his father, with which he was able to build a home, where he and Donna raised their family.

From a young age, Fred had a love for airplanes. He shared this love with his father, and as a child, spent many years at Bakers Field in Port Huron. Fred went on to become a pilot, a member of EAA and owned four airplanes. He was a long time member of St. Edward on-the-Lake Catholic Church. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, riding his Harley, golfing, skiing and traveling. From childhood vacations in Mio, college ski trips with friends, annual family vacations to Mexico, or business trips to Germany, he enjoyed seeing the world.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; two daughters, Katherine and Chelsea Baska; two brothers, Stephen Baska and John F. (Debbie) Baska; his mother-in-law, Denise Hughes; brothers-in-law, Daniel (Karyn) Hughes and Dean Hughes; nieces and nephews, Kristin (Shawn) Edie, Rowdy, Riley and Michael Baska, Dylan Hughes, Tylor Hughes, and Claire Edie; special friends, Mike and Sherry Bombard; as well as many other friends and family. He will be especially missed by his Furbaby, Lola and Grand-Furbabies, Charlie and Teddy. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred and Chris Baska.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2016 at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Mr. Baska will lie in state from 10 - 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 at St. Edward on-the-Lake Catholic Church A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 in St. Edward on-the-Lake Catholic Church. The Reverend Lee Acervo will officiate.

Rite of Committal will follow at Lakeport Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stephen and John Baska, Daniel Hughes, Paul Rivard, Mike Bombard and Ronald Edie.

The family requests that donations in memory of Fred be made to the Blue Water Hospice Home.