Obituary of James Thomas Baldini, III

"Jay" James T. Baldini, III, 60, of Syracuse, N.Y., died May 20, 2016 surrounded by family after a prolonged illness. Jay was born on a snowy April 7, 1956 in Wilmington, Delaware to Audrey and James T. Baldini Jr. Jay attended elementary and middle school in Newark, DE, where his parents became strong advocates for the rights of people with Down's Syndrome working with ARC of Delaware and the national association. The family moved to New Providence, N.J. in 1970 where Jay attended high school and was a member of cub scouts and an avid swimmer and bicyclist. In 1980, Jay moved to Switzerland with his parents where he traveled extensively and worked operating a drill press. After returning to the United States in 1988, he soon moved to Syracuse where he enjoyed working for Monarch Industries for 22 years until his retirement last year. He then attended Menorah Park's adult day hab program. Jay enjoyed music, dancing and art. He painted many oils on canvas and loved photography. He especially enjoyed snapping pictures of nature scenes, flowers and animals at the New York State Fair. Jay was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. He loved people and especially loved to make them laugh. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched. Jay is survived by his mother, Audrey of Syracuse, his older sister Pam and her husband John Dittmann of Syracuse, his younger sister Sandy of San Diego, and his younger brother Jack and his wife Joanne, of New Jersey. He is also survived by nieces Pamela, Amber and Danielle and nephews Douglas and Ryan and great-niece and nephew Emmy and R.J. He was preceded in death by his father Jim Jr. Friends are invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home with a service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Memorial Fund of Jay Baldini, c/o Baldini Law, 37 Bowers Drive, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840. The fund is being established by the family in Jay’s honor to assist deserving Down’s Syndrome children attend a higher education learning center.