Obituary of Elias Baldanza

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Elias Baldanza, born March 26, 1933, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 30, 2019, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.Y.

His last weeks were spent surrounded by his pride and joy; his children, grandchildren and devoted wife.

He is survived by his wife Frances, his children, Steve, Adam (Terri), Rebecca Meston (John), Daniel (Megan), Charles (Kathryn), Elisabeth Cavanaugh (Todd) and his brother, James Baldanza (Ronnie). “Grandpa or PopPop” will be greatly missed by his twenty cherished grandchildren; Matthew and Erica Baldanza (Lori), Liam, Josephine and Zane Baldanza; Rendon, Aliya and Karis Meston; George and Penelope Baldanza; Hadassah, Jeremiah, Silas, Constance and Frances Baldanza; Cademon, Callan, Colson, Corydon, and Caralee Cavanaug, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Often a man of few words, his unexpected humor brought joy and laughter to those around him. A man with a gift for helping others, Al was loved deeply by his family and friends. And by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, he was also a man of great virtue.  There are many who will remember him for his great tender compassion, his gentleness, his perseverance, his servant’s heart, his protection and provision, his open heart and open home, and his deep inner strength. He was a loving father figure to many, many people over the last 75 years, recently recounting over 100 people who took shelter in his home.

Please join us as we celebrate Al’s life on Friday, April 5, 2019, at 4:00 pm at Community Gospel Church, 12 Grove St. Oneonta, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Helping Hands, a mission to Uganda, through cgconeonta.org.