Fundraiser launched in memory of "loving" father-of-six

Thursday 30 November 2023

A fundraiser has been launched following the unexpected death of a 44-year-old dad to help support his family – including three of his six children who are currently living in a hotel after their St Clement home was destroyed by the Storm Ciarán tornado.

Father-of-six James Baker split his time between Jersey and California, with three children in each place and a seventh on the way.

A memorial fund was launched by his American step-daughter Skylee after James died from a heart attack in his Californian family home on Thursday 16 November.

It has so far raised almost $2,000.

Pictured: James and his wife, Sam.

Skylee described her stepfather as a "very kind soul with a very big heart".

Just three days before his death, he found out his wife Sam was pregnant with what would be his seventh child.

"Fatherhood was everything to him," said Skylee. "He loved spending time with his kids and beloved wife more than anything in the world."

Pictured: "Fatherhood was everything to him."

James – who moved to Jersey at the age of four and grew up in the island – is survived by six children.

His mother, two sisters, and three of his children are currently full-time Jersey residents.

James' three Jersey-based children are currently living in a hotel after their St Clement home was destroyed by the Storm Ciarán tornado at the beginning of November.

Pictured: Skylee described her stepfather James as a "very kind soul with a very big heart".

"James was doing his best to support his children through this process," explained Skylee.

"We are trying our best to raise enough money so that we can mourn the loss of my stepfather with my siblings in St Clement together as a family.

"I know that is what James would have wanted."

She added: "Our family is devastated, and we are all doing our best to get through this tragic loss hour by hour and day by day."

DONATE...

You can donate to the fundraiser HERE.