Obituary of Antonio Baldo
The visitation for Antonio Baldo will be held at Marine Park Funeral Home on Friday June 8, 2018 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM & 7:00 - 9:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady Help of Christians Roman Catholic Church on Saturday June 9, 2018 at 10:00 AM - the family will be arriving at the funeral home at 9:00 AM. The Committal Service will be private
It is with great sadness that the family of Antonio (“Tony”) Francis Baldo announces his passing on June 4, 2018, at the age of 94. Tony will be remembered lovingly by his wife of 52 years, Caterina, his two sons, Brian and Anthony, his surviving sisters Caroline, Connie, and Ann (his sister Rose is deceased), his beloved grandchildren, Julianna and Isabella, his daughter-in-law, Vaishali Bakshi and her family, and the many dear friends, colleagues and neighbors who graced his life.
Tony was born on April 4, 1924 in the lower East Side of Manhattan to Nicholas and Carmela Baldo. Nicholas and Carmela immigrated from Perito Cilento, Italy searching for a better future. Soon after Tony’s birth, they relocated to Brooklyn, where Tony lived the rest of his life. Growing up during the Great Depression made a lasting impression on Tony and instilled a deep work ethic. This work ethic, coupled with parental support and Tony’s considerable talent for mathematics and science, led to his acceptance to the highly competitive Brooklyn Technical High School. He graduated from Tech with honors in 1942, and then matriculated into the City College of New York.
Tony’s studies were interrupted by World War II, in which he proudly served his country as an infantry soldier. He enlisted in the United States Army, and served in the 143rd Infantry Anti-Tank Company of the 36th Infantry Division. His actions in battles such as Monte Cassino and the Battle of the Bulge earned him the Bronze Star and several other awards. Tony cherished the friendships he forged with fellow soldiers and remained in close touch with them throughout his life.
Tony returned to City College on the GI Bill and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948. He then obtained a faculty position in the City College Dept. Mechanical Engineering, where he remained for the entirety of his 42-year-long career. While employed at City College, he simultaneously pursued studies in the Graduate Division of Pure Science at Columbia University, where he conducted innovative research on internal combustion engines that led to a Ph.D.
Although he served for a brief period as Dean of Curricular Guidance at City College, Tony’s true passion was for teaching. He often stated that engineers are “tinkerers at heart” and taught a creative and deeply humanistic approach to design. His teaching won numerous awards, including an Outstanding Teaching Award from the Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi. Tony also was an active leader in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; through this organization, he created the popular and enduring Mechanical Engineering Design Competition. Tony retired from City College in 1990, receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
On August 16, 1966, Tony married the love of his life, Caterina (“Nina”) Apolito, whom he brought from Italy to build a life together in America. They resided in Brooklyn and raised two children, Brian and Anthony. Tony was a devoted husband and father, who, despite considerable career demands, lived by the motto, “family first.” He enjoyed bringing his engineering expertise to bear by working together with his wife on sculpture projects, and teaching his sons the joy of ‘tinkering’ through model rocketry adventures (and misadventures). Relatedly, Tony relished watching his granddaughters exercise their engineering proclivities by diving into his stash of odds-and-ends and creating functional contraptions that were placed under the Christmas tree each year. Tony was kind and infinitely patient. His humble and soft-spoken demeanor was tinged with a hint of mischief. He greatly valued good company and good cheer, and felt truly grateful for the dear friends and neighbors who made him feel loved and rooted in a vibrant community. Later in life, Tony felt profound gratitude for the loyal and loving health aides who cared for him so selflessly. Last but certainly not least, Tony had deep religious convictions and expressed unwavering faith in God’s provenance.
Soldier, engineer and scholar, husband, father and grandfather, friend, colleague, and neighbor: Tony wore all these hats with grace and wisdom. He will be deeply missed. Through our memories, may his gentle voice never be lost from this world.
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