By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
Martin Baker was homeless when he arrived in Yachats on his bike four years ago.
He found a place to sleep in the entryway of Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, gradually impressing its pastor and the congregation with his willingness to work and participate in church activities.
Baker lived inside the church for several months; in return, he reinforced the church’s belief that everyone is welcome.
“His smile was huge and contagious,” said Bob Barrett, the church pastor who welcomed Baker initially and who helped him win over the hearts of the congregation. “He greeted everyone with a hug, and was always willing to roll up his sleeves and work.”
Baker left Yachats last summer, feeling isolated during the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and wanting to return to his hometown of Borrego Springs, a small desert community east of San Diego.
Reportedly homeless again, Baker, 49, died Monday, four days after being assaulted there.
His death is being investigated as a homicide by San Diego County Sheriff’s detectives. A sheriff’s spokesman said a suspect, Eugene Focarelli, 37, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and then released on bail.
“… the legacy of Martin”
Baker left his mark on people who will never meet him.
“Because of the legacy of Martin, we’ve had other people living in the church since his time,” Barrett told YachatsNews this week following word of Baker’s death. “It’s one at a time, making a difference in each person’s life.”
“Martin transformed this congregation in a pretty profound way,” Barrett said. “Our church has long said that ‘All are welcome’ … ‘Come as you are’…in some ways those were words on a sign before Martin. Now it’s much more of a reality.”
After bicycling his way from California to Yachats, Baker found shelter in a tool shed belonging to a church member. Not long afterward he met Barrett, who asked the congregation to let Baker sleep in the church in exchange for maintenance work and security services.
That arrangement lasted for about nine months, as Baker proved his trustworthiness and work ethic. In addition to his work in and around the church (“he kind of became our head usher,” said Barrett), he performed odd jobs for church members.
One member offered him a trailer with no electricity or running water to live in; another offered him showering privileges at her home. Ultimately, with a lot of help securing his government benefits, Baker moved into a small rental house, got a driver’s license and bought a truck.
“I was so thankful to the church and the community for helping him — wonderful people,” his mother, Dolores Van Dyke of St. Petersburg, Florida told YachatsNews. “We would Facetime at least once a week. He had a lot of obstacles, but it didn’t deter him.”
Baker struggled with mental health issues, and in early adulthood became involved with substance abuse in Borrego Springs, where he spent most of his life. Baker has two adult children, and is survived by them, his mother, two brothers and five sisters.
Sarah Ventresca, a sister who lives in Long Beach, Calif., said her brother was “so very thankful and appreciative of how he was treated in Yachats. He was very mindful of everybody’s love and support.”
Grateful for any kindness
During a visit last year, Baker told his sister he was interested in moving back to the Borrego Springs area. The pandemic shutdown left him feeling alone, and he longed for more social contact.
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year he flew to see his mother in Florida, and “came back to everything shut down,” said Barrett. “The pandemic isolation was really hard for him. What he loved about Yachats was the people, and when he didn’t have that interaction, the cold and rainy weather made him feel like he was ‘living in an igloo.’”
“The closing down of the church was the loss of his main community, his ‘adopted family’,” said Fran Morse, the church member who helped Baker claim his government benefits, find housing and get his driver’s license. “He was always so grateful for any little kindness shown him and thanked God every day for what he had.”
Baker’s family is planning a celebration of life March 13, which would of been his 50th birthday. A classmate at Borrego High School has reportedly begun a scholarship fund in Baker’s honor.
The criminal case is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s office. Ventresca said that prior to the attack on Baker she was told that her brother was staying with a friend in nearby Ocotillo Wells. However, she was informed by police that when the attack occurred, Baker was a transient in Borrego Springs.
Baker expressed gratitude for the welcome he received in Yachats. Interviewed last year by YachatsNews for a profile of Barrett, Baker said he was “very happy that things worked out for me, coming out here and finding a place to live. I’m very grateful for all the experiences.”
Morse believes that people will not forget Baker’s few years in Yachats.
“Martin worked his way into our hearts, and now we are left with an empty spot there,” she said.
Very moving story. Thank you.
So sad to hear about Martin – often thought of him after he left to visit his mother. We often thought about him and had hoped he was doing well. He did leave a lasting impression on us and will not be forgotten. We welcomed him to our home and shared meals with him occasionally. He was always willing to give us a helping hand with odd jobs around our house and we were impressed with his work ethic given what he had gone through. Your story was well written and a tribute to a very kind person. Thank you
What a beautiful article on Marty. I am the mother of his three grown children ages 21, 22 and 23.
He loved the kids with all his heart. I am heartbroken and numb for what happen to him, a senseless act. We talked often and I will miss seeing his beautiful pictures he always posted. Thank you, the community of Yachats, for taking such good care of him. He was a wonderful loving, hard working, funny, and kind man. He will be dearly missed by all.
I graduated with Marty, and I’m working on a foundation in Marty’s name. Someone asked me why I was doing this since I have not seen Marty since graduation. Marty was special. He was kind. He was respectful. And every morning in school he would greet me with a smile from ear to ear and the biggest warmest hug. He made you feel like you mattered when in his presence. It’s my way of thanking him because I never forgot how he made me smile. Marty, you are missed.