Daniel Gerado Baldi, 87, passed peacefully after a period of declining health on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
A devoted husband, Dan was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marcia, in November 2020. He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren: Mark and Liz Baldi of West Boylston, MA, Linda Baldi of Brockton, MA, and Jill and Mark Freeman of Bridgewater, MA; his grandchildren, Rachael (Baldi) Rodrigues and her husband Stephen, Benjamin Baldi, Amanda Baldi, Ethan Freeman, and Kate Freeman. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Covell of Florida, brother in-law Tom Sinclair of New Hampshire, and several nieces and nephews.
Born on January 11, 1938, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Giacomo and Elvira (Panteri) Baldi, formerly of Villa a Roggio and Pescia, Italy, the fifth of six children Carlo (Charlie), Anna, Baldo, Mario, and Bonnie, Daniel was the proud son of Italian American immigrants, welcoming friends and family to join at mealtimes with a hearty “Tutti Mangia.” Dan grew up in Newton and Watertown, MA, where he developed an early love of science and nature which led to a career as a junior and high school teacher for 32 years in Holbrook, MA. After his retirement in 1993, Dan and Marcia spent several years enjoying each other’s company, canoeing, and spending time at Tom’s in NH.
A man of many interests and talents, Dan was an inventor who held two patents; as a community organizer, appointed to the Brockton Planning Board by Mayor Crosby, his efforts preserved the Washburn Meadow Conservation Area in Brockton; as an inveterate handyman and tinkerer, “Dan the Handyman” always had the right part and a solution to any manner of home projects; as a film projectionist at the Scituate Harbor cinema, he enjoyed many of the movie hits of the 1980s; and, as a self-taught woodcarver he created a pantheon of animals and whimsical figures to decorate his and Marcia’s home. His greatest legacy will always be his love for Marcia and his family.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of St. Joseph Manor Health Care of Brockton for their compassion and kindness during Dan’s final days.
A graveside funeral service for family and close friends will be held at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Highland Ave., Watertown, MA at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 13. Flowers may be delivered to Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St., Brockton, MA 02301. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Science Teaching Association or the American Heart Association.