Calling Hours Held for Norwich Priest Killed in Crash

Friends and parishioners of a Greek orthodox priest killed in a Norwich crash last weekend are hailing from as far away as Georgia and Indiana to say goodbye to Rev. Father Matthew Baker.

Mourners are meeting at Baker's parish, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Norwich, for his calling hours Friday evening. Baker was killed during a Sunday night snowstorm when he was ejected from his minivan.

He had just left the church with his six children, who survived. The parish is now trying to help support the family Baker leaves behind.

"We're doing our best," said parish council president Maria Valkanos. "Everyone is pitching in everywhere, from food to helping Presvytera with arrangements."

Presvytera Katherine, the priest's widow, was home during the fateful storm.

Thousands of people have contributed more than $500,000 to a GoFundMe page to benefit Baker's wife and children.

"The Internet is a handy tool right now," said Valkanos, "because it did get the word out to many people and many people are acting to help, because Presvytera will need help."

Like most people at Holy Trinity, she only met Baker in January, when he joined the parish. But she said he and his family are the kind of people you just want to be around.

The funeral with full liturgy take place in Rhode Island on Saturday morning.

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