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Ronald R. Baldi, 79, of Old Saybrook passed away after a brief illness at Yale-New Haven Hospital on June 8. He was born in Hartford, April 5, 1938, son of the late Raymond J. Baldi and Yolanda (Gabianelli) Baldi. He leaves behind several cousins, family, and many friends.

Ron graduated Old Saybrook High School in 1956. He worked as a union mason for several years before becoming highway superintendent for the Town of Old Saybrook, a position that later became the public works director, and from which he retired in 1998. Former first selectman Barbara Maynard commented, “I had the best people to work with for 16 years, we had Town Road Foreman Ron Baldi, who was a Fire Chief, who was born and brought up here, he knew everyone and every road, every hydrant every pothole.”

He joined the Old Saybrook Fire Department on May 2, 1960, working his way through the ranks until he was elected fire chief Jan. 3, 1973; he was fire chief for 10 years. During his tenure the age to join was lowered from 21 to 18, and in 1979 the membership was opened to women. On Jan. 2, 2002, he was elected to serve as president of the Fire Company, a position he held for 15 years.

In 2010 Chief Baldi was honored at a special banquet recognizing his 50 years of service to the Fire Department and to the Town of Old Saybrook. Past Chief Baldi took a special interest in maintenance and upkeep of the Fire Department-owned property called “Fireman’s Field” on Elm Street, purchased in 1960, and with facilities constructed over the years by its members. In recent years the banquet hall was named in his honor. Most mornings you could find Past Chief Baldi in front of the firehouse occupying the bench with his friends, affectionately known as the “Day Shift,” laughing and discussing world problems.

Visitation will be held on June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St., Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on June 16 at St. John’s Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, at 10 a.m. Ron will be laid to rest next to his parents in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Ron’s name may be made to the Old Saybrook Fire Co., 310 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475. To share a memory of Ron, please visit www.rwwfh.com.