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Memory Eternal! + Michel Baik

Update: His Grace Bishop ANTOUN attended the firefighters' memorial on Friday, July 30. An estimated 8,000 firefighters attended the service.

Update, from the Connecticut Post:

As many as 10,000 firefighters from across the nation and Canada are expected to attend funeral services for Lt. Steven Velasquez, 40, and firefighter Michel Baik, 49, who died while battling a house fire on Saturday.

Click here to read the complete article.

Firefighter Michel Baik was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Church in Bridgeport, CT.  He lost his life fighting a house fire on Saturday, July 24. 

The arrangements for Michel are as follows:

The wake will be Thursday, July 29, at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull CT, from 4-8 PM.

The funeral service will take place at St. Nicholas Church on Friday, July 30, beginning at 2 PM, followed by the internment.  The mercy meal will follow within the facilities of St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 220 Shelton Rd., Trumbull CT.

Because a very large turnout is expected, there will be additional seating in the church hall with an audio/video feed of the funeral service for those who cannot get a seat in the church. 

A remembrance from the Connecticut Post:

Firefighter Autumn Waggoner said Baik was always excited to come to work. "You could set the clock by him; he was always here at 3 o'clock on the dot," she said. "Mitch was a sweet teddy bear of a guy, all hairy and huggable but a firefighter through and through."

Robert Shawah, who grew up with Baik, said despite his large build, there was nothing scary about him. "He was a very intimidating looking guy, but once you got to know him he was a teddy bear," he said, standing outside the Funston Avenue home where Baik, whose family is from Syria, grew up.

"He was the best guy in the world," added childhood friend David Matthews. "His heart was immense. He always wanted to help people."

More articles concerning Michel Baik:

Online Guest Book:

Fund for Baik Family: 

News Stories and Photos:

From the Hartford Courant: Bishop Antoun and Priests at St. Nicholas Antiochan Orthodox Church pray before the casket of Bridgeport firefighter Michel Baik.