July 11, 2023

Deacon Baldasaro, member of first class of permanent deacons, dies at 89

REGIONAL
Staff report

PITTSFIELD – Deacon Pasqual Baldasaro, known as Deacon Pat, 89, of Dalton, passed away July 8 at Berkshire Medical Center.

Born in Bellows Falls, Vt., on March 27, 1934, to Pasqual and Brona Grysko Baldasaro, he was educated in Bellows Falls schools. He was a 1951 graduate of Hartford High School in White River Junction, Vt.

Deacon Baldasaro was a U.S. Navy Veteran, having served during the Korean War. He married the former Donna M. Bowers on May 12, 1956.

He was an electronic specialist for 42 years at General Electric, retiring in 1994. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Jan. 15, 1983, by Springfield Bishop Joseph F. Maguire. He was in the first class of permanent deacons in the Springfield Diocese and was assigned to St. Agnes Parish in Dalton in 1983.

A communicant of St. Agnes Parish, he served as a deacon there as well as at St. Joseph Parish, Pittsfield.

He was a member of the Benjamin F. Sullivan American Legion Post 155 and the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree Columbia Council 411. He also was a member of the General Electric Quarter Century Club and the General Electric Pensioners Club.

He took pleasure in following his grandchildren’s sporting events and doing projects with them.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Donna M. Baldasaro of Dalton. Two daughters, Teresa L. Becker and her husband Marty of Hinsdale, and Linda M. Farrell and her husband Mark of Peru; and his son, Michael J. Baldasaro and his wife Kelly of Hinsdale; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Foster of Leominster, Mass.; and his brother, Joseph Baldasaro of Coventry, R.I. He was predeceased by his son, Paul A. Baldasaro in 2017; as well as his sister, Anna Lamb.

Calling hours for Deacon Baldasaro will be held, Thursday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, concelebrated by Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne and Father Christopher A. Malatesta, pastor of St. Agnes Parish. Burial will follow at Ashuelot Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Church or Elder Services of The Berkshires and mailed to the funeral home.