Obituary of John Valentino Baia

John Valentino Baia, a retired lab manager and electronics technician for RCA, passed away on March 7th at the age of 89. John was born to his parents Elpidio and Josephine Baia, who had immigrated from Italy. He was attending a family wedding when he met his wife to be Antonette. The fell for each other and were married in 1958. 

John began his career working at Raytheon in Sudbury, MA where he worked as an electronics technician. Then moved to RCA as lab manager and electronics technician.  During his time at RCA he graduated from Northeastern University while attending classes in the evening.  His branch changed hands many times throughout his career as RCA was acquired by General Electric, then Martin Marietta, and eventually Lockheed Martin. For 33 years, he worked in the same place. 

John and Antonette moved around after marrying. The started their life together in Belmont, before relocating to Woburn and then settling in Burlington in 1960. During this time they welcomed their five boys, Paul, Stephen, John, Edward, and Richard. While the kids were growing up, the family summered at Parkwood Beach in Wareham, MA. The whole family also remembers a fabled trip to Lake George when the kids were in high school. There was the infamous rowboat ride out on the lake, as John watched and paced on the beach, waiting as they crossed over the whole lake, and then chased after the steamship. The family then went over to Fort Ticonderoga, a must for John who had studied it back when he was in school. What the family remembers most about the trip to the fort was that it was 1010 out when they were there. 

John and Antonette became the place to be on the block when they had a pool installed. They loved to host family, friends and neighbors. The two hosted an annual 4th of July party, a couple of pig roasts, and made plenty of excuses to cook a couple bushels of rock crabs, steamers, and have a couple pitchers of beers. The two loved to travel when they weren’t hosting. They had a wonderful trip to Aruba, spectacular cruises, especially one in Alaska, and a homecoming trip to Italy. 

Some of John’s other hobbies included Golfing, Hunting, and driving his 1957 Ford Fairlane black top convertible around. He was a member of the RCA Golf league, and loved to play all over the US. He taught the boys how to play and enjoyed playing together. He also enjoyed hunting with Stephen, Ed, Rich and his longtime friend Gabe. He was a member of the Woburn Gun Club. John was an avid stamp collector as well. Back before the internet, he would get new stamps in mail orders. 

John will be remembered as a devoted husband and father. He was a quiet man, who loved a good laugh while watching Benny Hill, Barney Miller and other shows. John cherished his grandchildren and then his great grandchildren and enjoyed every second he got to spend with them. 

John was the loving husband to Antonette.  He was the caring father to Paul E. Baia & his partner Paral Wiley of Bedford, Stephen J. Baia Sr. and his wife Michelle of Vero Beach, FL, John Baia and his wife Susan of Burlington, Ed Baia, Sr. and his wife Rosemary of Ogunquit, ME, and Richard Baia and his wife Christine of Allendale, Michigan. He was the beloved grandfather of Courtney Heinerici, Ashley, Stephen, Jay, and Eddie Baia, Amy Kucha, and Kaileigh Baia. He was the loving great grandfather to Emmet and Winter Heinerici, Emerson and Danica Baia, and Audrianna and Maddox Kucha. John was the dear father-in-law to the late Anne Baia. In addition he will be remembered by Micaela Stoico and Alyce Prado.

A funeral mass for John will be held at St. Malachy’s church, 99 Bedford Street, Burlington, on Wednesday, March 15, at 10 AM. Burial to take place following church at Pine Haven Cemetery, 52 Bedford Street, Burlington. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in John’s name to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

For online guestbook, service information, obituary and video tribute, please visit www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.