Joseph Vincent Baldini
October 19, 1948 - December 7, 2024
Obituary
Joseph Vincent Baldini, 76, of Milton, Washington, died on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Joseph was born on October 19, 1948, to parents Rose and Ralph Baldini in Ithaca, New York.
Joseph was a “Baldini” through and through. Fiercely loyal, ever inventive, and never one to back down from a challenge. He was raised in Ithaca along with his four siblings by their Italian American parents, Ralph and Rose Baldini. Joseph graduated from Ithaca High School, then went on to study hotel and restaurant management at The State University of New York in Delhi, NY, and later graduated from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas with a degree in hotel management in 1970.
After college, Joseph maintained a career in the hospitality industry with his work spanning from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas to Walgreens in Chicago to various restaurants in Ithaca, New York. In retirement, Joseph worked part-time for a hospice care provider, as well as for the Briar Group as their commercial bid manager.
Joseph was the quiet one of his siblings, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a force of nature, and if you pried him long enough he would share tales of his younger years. Such stories might include the time he spent a brisk autumn day visiting friends and family throughout Upstate New York on his Norton Commando (“best motorcycle ever”), and capped off the evening by almost dying after hitting a dear in the dark because his hands were too frozen to grab the brake lever. Or the summer he spent rebuilding the V12 engine out of his mid-60s Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 in his parents’ garage (because according to Joseph: “everyone should own a Ferrari at some point in their life”). Or the ongoing struggles of trying to keep an MG MGB Roadster running long enough to actually get somewhere (“not the best car, ever”), a trial he shared with his younger brother, Michael. Or, the one that the youngsters always enjoyed, peeing on his older brother Gus’ Ford pickup truck in order to put out the fire that erupted after they tipped it over in the woods.
Joseph shared a special bond with his twin sister, Joanne, who he would introduce to strangers as his “older sister”, but would then explain they were “womb mates” for nine months, and ever the gentleman, he allowed her to enter this world first.
After surviving the exuberance of youth, Joseph migrated to the Pacific Northwest, living first in Portland, and then Tacoma. A devoted family man, he married and helped raise two stepsons, and in his later years was a loving presence in the lives of many grandchildren. He continued to forge his own way, with the occasional small structure fire from DIY home plumbing renovations failing to damper his zest for projects of his own making. His passion for photography bloomed in the splendor of the Northwest. Many photos featuring Mt. Rainier, eagles, flowers, exotic cars, and motorbikes grace the homes of family and friends.
And food, no remembrance of Joseph’s life would be complete without food. A master chef who was always refining his craft, his happy place was feeding those he loved. Compliments were always deflected with an “I get lucky sometimes”, which perfectly encapsulates his proud yet humble character. “Joe Bread” will live on forever with the many family members who he taught to make it. Unfortunately, his recipe for the Baldini Family Fruitcake (started by his father), probably dies with him, as there are very few in the world willing to take on such an arduous and unappreciated task.
Joseph’s faith in God was a major aspect of his life that started in childhood when his family attended Immaculate Concepcion Church in Ithaca. During his later years, Joseph attended St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tacoma, WA.
Joseph is survived by his life partner Carol Davis; twin sister JoAnne Baldini and her husband Dan Stomka of Raleigh, NC; brother-in-law Ken Dodd of Lutz, FL; stepsons Eric Holman (wife Amy and children Zander and Cora) of Snoqualmie, WA, and Tim Holman (children Christian, Zoe, and Preston); nephews Christopher Baldini (wife Kailee and children August and Emmett) of Covington, WA, Tim Baldini (children Luca and Reese) of Auburn, WA, Marcus Baldini (wife Shanon and daughter Sophia Rose of Hendersonville, TN, Matt Dodd (wife Austin) of Northport, FL, and Greg Baldini of North Brunswick, NJ; nieces Liz Ciesla of Lutz, FL, and Allie (husband Jason Krisza and children Claire, Anna, and Joey) of North Brunswick, NJ.
Joseph was preceded in death by his late wife and “the love of his life” Linda; parents Rose L. Baldini and Ralph Peter Baldini; sister Diane Dodd; and brothers R. Gus Baldini and Michael J. Baldini.
Memorials or donations may be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation.
