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In Memoriam of Joseph Baker, AFSC '76
It is with great sorrow that Calvert Hall shares the news of the passing of longtime faculty member, Mr. Joseph Baker, AFSC '76, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
A proud member of the Class of 1976, Joe dedicated 46 years of service to Calvert Hall. He was the embodiment of what it means to be a Hallman. Whether through his remarkable ability to teach the student first and the subject second, or through his engaging whiteboard videos, Joe’s passion for education and unwavering commitment to The Hall were unmistakable.
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Over the course of his career, Joe served the institution in many roles: teacher, basketball coach, assistant principal, moderator, immersion trip chaperone, Director of Advancement, and Chief Administrative Officer. Yet, he would have been the first to say that titles matter little. For Joe, Calvert Hall was about the people, the relationships, the connections, the Brotherhood. He found great joy in witnessing a student’s “aha” moment when a concept finally clicked, and he took pride in fostering meaningful connections between alumni and students, recognizing the Calvert Hall experience transcends time. The true highlight of his career was the countless relationships he built with students, colleagues, alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of The Hall. He was a brilliant man with a heart of Cardinal and Gold.
Joe earned his undergraduate degrees from Loyola College, double majoring in Mathematics and Political Science, and went on to receive his Master of Education from Loyola as well. A respected and beloved figure in the broader community, he was honored by The Daily Record with the Icon Award in 2018 and named a Most Influential Marylander in 2025. He was also recognized as Calvert Hall’s Lasallian Educator of the Year in 1996 and, in 2025, was honored with the establishment of an endowed chair in his name. In March 2026, in recognition of his deep commitment to the Lasallian mission, Joe was named an Affiliated Christian Brother (AFSC), one of the highest distinctions bestowed upon a lay colleague by the Christian Brothers.
President Br. John Kane, FSC, reflected, “Joe Baker’s impact on Calvert Hall is immeasurable. He was a master teacher, a gifted administrator, a coach, and a mentor to many. Recently named an Affiliated Christian Brother by our Superior General in Rome, Joe truly lived the call of St. John Baptist de La Salle to touch hearts. He did so for thousands of students and colleagues. He was a true Lasallian, and while he will be deeply missed, his legacy will live on.”
Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Cathy; his loving children, Abigail, Jillian, and Joseph ’15; his son-in-law, Lt. Thomas Gruebl, USN ’12; and his cherished grandchildren, Gwenny, Cassie, Millie, and a baby boy Gruebl expected in August 2026.
Details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared as they become available.
