Tony Baudo

Anthony “Tony” Baudo

September 14, 2025, just about seven months short of his 102nd birthday, our dad, grandpa, great-grandpa passed away in his sleep. It was a long road and a bit of a struggle to get there, but he is finally reunited with his wife and family and friends who went before him.

He was a quiet, humble hardworking man. He was not interested in attention or accolades. Everyone who met him liked him and everyone who knew him loved him. He was a “man’s man” – hunting, fishing, serving his country as a sailor on the USS Kadashan Bay during WWII, working as a union machinist, smoking an occasional cigar and drinking an occasional adult beverage. But he also had no problem picking up and snuggling a newborn baby, potty training puppies, holding his grandchildren on his lap when they were happy or sad and taking tender care of the tomatoes and zucchini in the garden.

If you asked him what is the most important thing in life…he would have said FAMILY. He loved his wife. They did not lose the romance as they got older. He protected her, had her back, let her set the rules and then followed them. He comforted and supported her through life’s many ups and downs. As a father, he was a guiding light. He taught his children life lessons; how to fix things, how to build things, how to be committed to your word and to people, to have faith in God and to demonstrate integrity and character throughout life’s journey. He taught this by his words and his deeds. Some of what we learned is a result of what dad taught us in the moments he wasn’t trying to teach us. We were changed by his little scraps of wisdom. He was consistent in the way he lived. You just needed to watch him to understand what it meant to be a good human. He was a loving and doting grandfather and great grandfather. He watched his grandkids grow and then watched their kids grow. He was proud of each of them; for who they were and what they accomplished. He was encouraging and supportive – never judgmental. He might scold a behavior now and then but always with a pat on the back and a smile later.

He lived a long life – this is true. He was a faithful man and is in a better place today. But knowing that doesn’t stem the tide of sadness by having to say goodbye. We will miss the twinkle in his eye when he laughed. We will miss the stories he so vividly recalled of his life as a first-generation Sicilian American, his time in the Navy, his many adventures with friends and the places he traveled. He loved a good party, a family reunion, a Pompeii Men’s Club dinner, a get together in the back yard or a trip to Oscars for a burger and ice cream. He always made everyone feel seen and valued and heard.

“They say that memories don’t die, people do. I wish we could have them both.
God’s speed to the sweetest man I’ve ever known. I know he will watch over us. He knows we’re going to need it.”

Military service and burial to be held privately. 

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