Obituary of Robert Baia

Robert "Bear" Baia, 77, of State Hwy 30, Amsterdam, passed away peacefully Friday, June 11, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam. He was born February 17, 1933 son of the late Clement and Concetta Salce Baia. Bear was a life resident of the area and was a 1951 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam. Following high school, he proudly served his country with the US ARMY during the Korean War. It was on March 24, 1988 that Robert married the former Yvette "Jeanne" Champlin and together the couple operated Baia's Two located at the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course and at Ballston Spa Country Club. For over 20 years Bear owned and operated Baia's Tavern on Lyon Street in Amsterdam as well as bartending at Top Notch Tavern and Raindancer Restaurants. Bear played in the Amsterdam Dart League for over 40 years and was one of the founders of the Amsterdam Fast Pitch Night League. He enjoyed golf, bowling, darts, horseracing and trips with his wife, Jeanne. Most of all, Bear loved to reminisce about all of his customers and many friends he made over the last 50 years in business. His loving family includes his wife, Yvette "Jeanne" Baia of Amsterdam, his brother Richard Baia and wife Linda, his nieces Christine Russo and husband Peter, and Patricia Sullivan and husband Kevin, his great-niece Erin Adamson and great-nephew Pietro Russo. Bear was predeceased by his brother, Patrick Baia. Services will be at 10:00AM on Monday, June 14, 2010 at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY with Pastor David Champlin, brother-in-law, officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Amsterdam. The family will receive relatives and friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 6:00PM at the funeral home. Contributions in Bear's memory may be made to a special fund for the family in care of the funeral home.