James Robert Baldwin's Obituary
JAMES ROBERT BALDWIN Jim, of Alameda, passed away on November 14, 2011 at the age of 59. He was born in San Francisco, California, on September 2, 1952 to his late father, William Baldwin and mother, Florence Baldwin. He is survived by his loving wife, Maria Gallo, mother, Florence, sister, Eileen, uncles, Bill Cross and Bob Cross, brother-in-law Adolfo Gallo, niece, Alicia Gallo, nephews, Tristan Gallo and Lucas Marvin-Gallo, sister-in-law, Susan Gallo plus loving friends, too numerous to mention. Born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, Jim was a graduate of Lowell High School and attended UC Berkeley before he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He served most of his military service in Korea and after his honorable discharge, he rejoined civilian life as an employee at the Bank of America, where he served in various capacities over the course of 24 years. He later went on to become an associate at Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisors eventually ending his career as a Development Associate with Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, a community health center serving the Tri-City area of south Alameda County. Late in life, Jim was an accomplished Beekeeper, serving as the Treasurer of the Alameda County Beekeepers Association. Always thinking more about others than himself, Jim gladly and faithfully served for many years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mission Learning Center where he took great pleasure in finding ways to assist language challenged children of all ethnic backgrounds in attaining the reading and comprehension skills so vital to their professional and educational goals. He was deeply loved and appreciated by his hermanas at the Chicana Latina Foundation where he was a star volunteer for two decades. While Jim and his wife, Maria, enjoyed an immense circle of acquaintances, he nonetheless kept a close group of lifelong friends with whom he shared life and good times. He was the consummate gentleman, easy to please and was always willing to help a friend. His warmth and kind soul won him many, many friends. And, above all, children loved “Jimbo”, and he them. Jim often talked and openly displayed the love and devotion he felt for his wife and soul mate, Maria, as they often could be seen strolling to BART, to the store, to a restaurant… hand-in-hand. His love of good Tequila, marvelous BBQ skills, appreciation for a good lager or ale and overall infectious love of life will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, given Jim’s love of animals of all shapes and colors, donations can be made to the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS), P.O. Box 6328, Alameda, California, 94501 Friends are invited to a celebration of life at Chapel of the Chimes at 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Services are at 10 AM with viewing at 9 AM. A wake follows the services at Grace Street Catering at 4629 Martin Luther King Way, Oakland. Nov 17 ' 10 am
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