James C. Baatz
1931 –2010

WEST SPRINGFIELD – James C. Baatz, 79, of West Springfield died Thursday, December 9, 2010, at home surrounded by his loving family. James, son of the late Carl J. Baatz and Anna (Connolly) Baatz, was born on February 5, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Jamaica Plain (Boston) and moved to West Springfield in 1955. He graduated from Boston Latin School (Class of '48) and Boston College (Class of '52) and received his Master's Degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1953. After serving in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, James started his career as a research chemist for Shawinigan Resins Corporation (later Monsanto Company). During his successful career he was granted numerous patents. After retiring in 1993, he indulged his voracious appetite for reading and enjoyed listening to his collection of classical and jazz music. He also found satisfaction in the kitchen cooking Sunday family dinners and carrying on the Berestecki tradition making the holiday prune bread and galumpki. He was a long-time member of the American Civil Liberties Union. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Jane (Berestecki) Baatz and five children James J. Baatz of Russell, Janine B. Murphy and her husband Daniel of West Springfield, Catherine P. Baatz of Longmeadow, Elizabeth B. Baatz and her husband Victor Maliar of Port Angeles, WA and Helen Gundlach and her husband Kurt of Warren. Holding a special place in his heart, he leaves his five grandchildren Colleen and Conner Murphy, Lianna Baatz, and Aiden and Jackson Gundlach. He also leaves a sister Patricia Murphy, a brother-in-law Philip P. Berestecki and his wife Grace (Adams), and two loving nieces Patricia Magnell and her husband Bruce, and Laura Berestecki. He is predeceased by his brother David C. Baatz, sister-in-law Barbara Baatz and brother-in-law Thomas F. Murphy. A committal service will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam on Friday, December 17, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. The West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in James' name be made to the West Springfield Public Library Memorial Fund, 200 Park Street, West Springfield, MA 01089.