John J. Baldigowski, Jr.

John J. Baldigowski, Jr. of McDonald passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on Friday, April 10, 2026 after a prolonged illness. He was 88 years old. John was born November 21, 1937 in McDonald; a son of the late John J. Sr. and Genevieve Zombeck Baldigowski. He was proud of his coal mining heritage and of being brought up in a Number 9 mining home outside of McDonald.

On November 5, 1964 he married his beloved wife Linda R. Lescallette Baldigowski who survives and whom he lovingly referred to as The First Lady. Also surviving are two children, Lisa (the late Mark) Lauff, and Samuel (Debra) Baldigowski; seven grandchildren, Marina, Roman and Gabriel Lauff, Daria (Gavin) Vargesko, Samantha, Ryan and Alex Baldigowski; one great grandson, Jasper Vargesko; 10 siblings, Josephine (the late Robert) Grutzik, Helen (the late Richard) Daniels, Bonnie (Richard) Green, Veronica (the late Carl) Daniels, Diana (the late Ronald) Chauvet, Susan Cobb, Rosalie (the late William) Haines, Eugene, Michael and Daniel Baldigowski; sister-in-law, Barbara (Robert) Druga and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Mark W. Lauff and brother, Carl (Gloria) Baldigowski.

John was a 1955 graduate of Midway High School where he very much enjoyed playing football. Upon high school graduation John worked in construction and at The Shenango Works until a friend encouraged him to attend college. He then went on to California State College (now Penn West) where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education. John was a German teacher at Chartiers Valley High School for several years before changing careers. He was intrigued with the new development of computer science and in 1967 began working at McGraw-Edison (later Cooper Power Systems) of Canonsburg. He retired after 35 years of employment as Director of Computer Systems.

John was a devoted member of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, St. Alphonsus Church where he served as an Usher and Eucharistic Minister for many years. One of his great passions in life was visiting the sick and delivering communion to them. Through this ministry he touched the lives of so many families in a very special way. He was also a proud lifetime member of the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department.

John was a great sports fan and faithfully followed the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, but some of the best years of his life were spent devoted to local youth sports mentoring and coaching young athletes in football and baseball for many years. He also attended just about every Fort Cherry High School football game since the 1980s supporting our local team.

John was an avid golfer as well and scored a total of six certified holes in one in his lifetime. He also hosted a "Good Friday Open" golf tournament for more than 50 years and was even able to attend with his son this year just to watch.

John was a kind and extremely generous person and the term "he never knew a stranger" is 100% fitting. Above all, John was a devoted family man and loved and supported his wife and children throughout his lifetime. Of all his pastimes, his favorite one was spending time with his adored grandchildren and attending all of their activities from dance recitals & chorus concerts to hockey games, cheerleading and cross country races and finally in recent years spending time with his great grandson and hearing him say, "I like my PapPap!"

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 13, 2026 from 12:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm at Graff-Nation Funeral and Cremation Service, 220 E. Lincoln Ave. McDonald, PA. 15057. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in St. Alphonsus R.C. Church, 219 W Lincoln Ave, McDonald, PA 15057 at 10:00 am. Everyone is asked to meet at that church. A committal service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, 103 Church Road, Imperial, PA 15126) or The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (1 N. Linden St., Duquesne, PA 15110).