Paul Anthony Baillio
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Published in July 2023
Paul Anthony Baillio, 75, died on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in his Westford, Massachusetts home after a valiant two-year battle with ALS. Paul’s lifelong characteristic good humor, wit, gentle strength, and generous spirit remained intact to the very end. Days before, Paul and his wife, high school sweetheart, Elaine (Danforth) Baillio, celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary with their five children and eleven grandchildren.
Paul was born on September 24th, 1947, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the late Anna (Henry) Baillio and Eckert Baillio. Paul was the second of their five boys. He was notorious for making funny faces during their family photos.
Paul’s inner serenity and kindheartedness were immediately evident by all he met. His idealism, optimism, and strong Christian faith led him to be an active member and volunteer in the Chelmsford Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses up until his death.
Paul’s intellectual curiosity and creativity were present throughout his life. Beginning with his self-described childhood pastime of concocting ingredients to “blow things up” in his basement to innovating the use of jewel bearings and orifices. Paul graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Waltham, Massachusetts and went on to Salem State University, where he graduated in 1969, with a BSBA in Management. Paul worked for five decades at Bird Precision in Waltham as its Vice President up until his diagnosis. He published numerous journal articles and was thought of as a leader in his field.
Paul had many passions. He loved history. He researched and authored two books on local railroad history to preserve the lore of a bygone era. You can find his most recent book, ‘The Nashua, Acton, & Boston Railroad, 1873-1926, A Legacy of Wonderful Arch Bridges and Quiet Walking Trails,’ 2022 Edition, in the Westford Public Library. A self-taught artist, Paul enjoyed painting in both watercolors and oils. His beautifully rendered landscapes are cherished by his wife and children as an extension of life through Paul’s sparkling eyes. Paul shared his sense of adventure and love of being active with his wife. Together, they enjoyed travelling, hiking, kayaking, biking, camping, and cross-country skiing. Both nature enthusiasts, they especially loved visiting national parks in the US and Canada. Years of family travel has left his children many hilarious memories of their adventures and misadventures together.
When asked what he would want people to remember about his life, Paul smiled, and simply said, “I had a good spin.”
He is survived by his brothers, Michael Baillio (Dunstable, MA), John Baillio (Newton, MA), Thomas Baillio (Groton, MA), and James Baillio (Franklin, MA); his children, Kerry (James) LaPointe, (Sudbury, MA), Shawn Baillio (Lauri), (Merrimack, NH), Susan (Matthew) Rodgers, (Westford, MA), Bethany (Alan) Colarusso, (Littleton, MA), and Laura (James) Connolly, (Westford, MA); and his grandchildren, Kara and Sophie LaPointe, Kaylee (Steven) Boisvert, McKenzie Baillio, Alexus, Levi and Matthew (Blake) Rogers, Dylan and Nathan Colarusso, Fiona and James III Connolly.
Visiting hours will be held Monday, July 17, 2023, from 4 – 7 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. A gathering will be held on Tuesday, July 18 at 10 am at the funeral home followed by a procession to Pine Grove Cemetery, Westford. There will be a Memorial service Friday, July 21, 2023, at 7pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses, 559 Pine Street, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Compassionate Care of Falmouth at ccals.org. or CCALS, P.O Box 1053, Falmouth MA, 02574.
