Joe Baldasso

Americo "Joe" D. Baldasso, 91, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2022. He was born in Niagara Falls, New York on January 11, 1931 to the late Isadora and Maria Baldasso. Joe was devoted to his family, church, and friends and always enjoyed helping others and working in his garage .

Joe is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Edna Puckett Baldasso who passed in June of 2013.

He is survived by his daughter Susan and husband Mike Fox, his son Rick Baldasso and wife Penny , and his son Jerry Baldasso all of the Jacksonville / Orange Park areas. Joe was blessed to have 6 grandchildren: Michael(Jenna) Fox Jr. , Kyle (Taylor) Baldasso, Brittney Baldasso, Emily(Dan) Umpleby, Christine (Ajith) Vivek, and Taylor Fox ( Logan South) fiancé. In 2020 he again was blessed to become a great-great grandfather to : Mikayla Fox, Quinn Baldasso, Liam Umpleby, and now a great- great grand baby Umpleby on the way in 2023.

Joe attended schools in the Niagara Falls - North Collins, New York areas and then enlisted into into his amazing career in the Navy beginning in the 1950’s where he served in the Korean War. After the war he served as an ADJ2 Plane Captain in the Blue Angels from 1953-1956. He was an Alumni Lifetime Member, “Once A Blue Always A Blue”. In 1956, Joe and Edna moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he still resided. He served shore duties at Cecil Field and NAS Jax and was at sea duty on 9 aircraft carriers and many squadrons. Joe is also a Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired in 1972 and continued working on airplanes at NARF. Joe then got his A and P license and started working at Herlong Airfield. In his “spare” time he rebuilt planes, cars, trucks, T-model fords, tractors and everything mechanical. (Our father loved working with his hands).

Joe was a member for over 60 years at West Jacksonville Baptist Church where he accepted Jesus as his personal savior and was baptized.

The family would like to thank everyone for the cards, texts, phone calls , and prayers over the years . In addition thanks to the entire staffs at Outpatient Physical Therapy of St Vincent’s hospital, Dr. Charles Pruden, Dr Michael Brumback, and Dr. Thomas Davis .

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 2pm at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205 and will officiated by Pastor Rodney Kelley of West Jacksonville Baptist Church. The visitation will be held on Friday evening at the funeral home from 5pm until 8pm. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers you may want to contribute to: West Jacksonville Baptist Church Missionary fund The Shriners Hospital for Children or The Clay or Duval County Community Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Baldasso family.