James A. Baldwin

Albany-James A. Baldwin died peacefully on May 14, 2017. He was the beloved and devoted husband of the late Mary L. Grant (Grande) Baldwin for sixty-two years. James was born in Albany NY on January 5, 1930 to the late Richard J. and Celia V. Hutton Baldwin. He was the dear father of James N. (Rebecca A.) Baldwin, Karen M. (Robert T.) Roy, Mary L. (Robert T.) Wrightson and Kathleen M. (William V.) O’Leary. James was the cherished grandfather of Matthew Baldwin (Molly), Melissa (Scott) Basiuk, Kristen (David) Phillips, Lauryn (Michael) Bastian, Mary (Andrew) Kinley, Kelly (Joseph) Hindes, Michelle (Joseph) Slater, Kathryn O’Leary, and Robert, Stephen, James and Mary Wrightson. He was the proud and loving great-grandfather to Ethan and Sofia Bastian, Grant, Brynn and Max Basiuk, Nicholas and Christopher Phillips, Joseph, Olivia and Elizabeth Hindes, Mason, Owen and Norah Kinley and Natalie Slater. His beloved brother Joseph (Bud) Baldwin and sister Rita Salisbury as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins survive. He was predeceased by his brothers Thomas and Richard Baldwin, sisters-in-law Barbara Baldwin and Marge Baldwin as well as brother-in-law Frank Salisbury and many other beloved family members. James grew up on Park Avenue in Albany, graduated from Cathedral Academy High School and served his country during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the US Army as a corporal in 1953. Prior to his retirement he worked for Dutch Village, Dorn’s Transportation, and Atkinson Trucking, He and Mary married in 1953 and initially lived in the “family neighborhood” on Park Avenue. They moved to Schodack with their children in 1967. They resided at Eastwyck Village in North Greenbush from 2012 to 2016. Over the past year he has been a resident of St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where he had many friends among the residents, and the staff who cared for him there. James was a hardworking and devoted son, husband and father. He enjoyed planting and tending a garden every summer and any activity that would have him outdoors, reading books and watching old movies. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh and cared deeply for others. He was a devout Roman Catholic who practiced the Church’s teachings about love and kindness. He was primary care giver to his wife for many years, and even as he required nursing care himself, would often be looking to assist others. He enjoyed life’s simple pleasures – family parties, holidays, “Sunday spaghetti dinners, “a few beers” and always inquired: “where’s dessert?” He and Mary enjoyed “taking a ride” through the scenery of upstate New York and New England, joining their children and grandchildren on vacations, and special trips to Alaska, Ireland, and Italy. He was content and grateful for his life and family, cherishing the memory of his wife, the joy of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the comfort of family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany NY at 8:15 am o’clock, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Historic St. Mary’s Church, 10 Lodge Street, Albany at 9:00 am. The Rite of Internment will follow at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Greenbush. Family and friends are invited and may visit with the Baldwin family at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the McVeigh Funeral Home, Albany. There will be a remembrance of Jim’s life beginning at seven pm. Donations in his memory to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 139 South Lake Avenue, Albany, NY 12206, or other social welfare organizations are appreciated. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com The Baldwin family extends deepest gratitude to the caring and dedicated staff at the St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, particularly those in the One West Unit, for the compassionate care and joy they provided to our father and grandfather over the past year.

Tributes

James A. Baldwin

January 5, 1930 - May 14, 2017