Louis Balducci

Louis Balducci a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, engineer, and World War II veteran died on August 8 at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Md. He was 88 years old. He and his wife of 61 years, Anita Virginia Forfia Balducci, were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Erie, PA in 1955.

Born in New York City, Mr. Balducci was the son of Nicola Balducci, a delicatessen owner and later a ship builder at Bethlehem Steel, and Mary Balducci, a tailoress. Raised on Newkirk Street in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, he attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, graduating from the A course at age 17. Though he was granted a Senatorial Scholarship to attend Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Balducci delayed college and instead enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He entered Johns Hopkins University following his military service and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1949. He moved with his family to Bel Air, MD in 1967 from the Northwood Neighborhood in Baltimore.

As an electrical engineer he worked at the Bendix Corporation and AAI Corporation for a period extending over 40 years. He was project manager for the guidance system test sets for the sidewinder missile. He retired in 1989 at age 62. After retiring, he traveled extensively through Europe and the United States often sending postcards from around the world sharing his love of history, art, and opera.

Throughout his retirement Mr. Balducci contributed to many civic endeavors. He served on the board of the Harford County Public Library and was the board’s chair for many years. He was Treasurer of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department, and an active member of the Bel Air Chapter of the Lions Club. Mr. Balducci volunteered on several Democratic campaigns and gave tirelessly of his time and talent in service the Bel Air community. He was an avid bridge player and played in the Friday Night Homestead Village poker club. Mr. Balducci spent many hours in his beloved vegetable and flower garden and many enjoyable days at the beach where he made his famous crab soup. Mr. Balducci was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Bel Air since 1967.

He is survived by his wife Anita and their family Patricia Balducci, Richard Balducci, Tom Sizemore, Alan Cooper, Nick Sizemore, Hillary Sizemore, and great granddaughter Virginia Sizemore; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, 610 W. MacPhail Road, Bel Air on Thursday from 3-5 and 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 am at St. Margaret's Catholic Church. Interment Bel Air Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Harford County Public Library of Bel Air, 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue Bel Air, MD 21014, St. Margaret's Church, 141 Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014, or the Bel Air Lions Club. P.O. Box 167 Bel Air, MD 21014. Online condolences may be left at www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com