G. John Baldassari, Jr., 64, Chambersburg, died Mon., August 17, at home. He was born in Barstow, California, on June 10, 1945, but lived in Chambersburg since 1949. Son of the late George J. & Celesta C. Baldassari. Survived by two children, Roy Gene Baldassari and Michelle Stevens; 5 grandchildren: Roy 's children, Natasha, Bryan, and Andrew Baldassari, and Michelle's children, Nicole Sipes and Kaisey Stevens, all reside in Chambersburg; 5 siblings: Bob Baldassari and wife Sue, Roy Baldassari and wife Kathie, Linda Baldassari and partner Linda Sweeley, Carol Baldassari, and Kay Salmon and husband Britt; many nieces, nephews and gr.nieces and gr.nephews. An avid Boy Scout, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout through Troop 131 of the United Methodist Church. He also earned the Boy Scout God & Country Award, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. He graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 1963 and joined the Marine Corps in 1963, and volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam. In the summer of 1966 he was critically wounded in combat and returned home for care and a long rehabilitation period. He was awarded the military Purple Heart medal. John was a carpenter by trade, specializing in drywall, and was employed by Letterkenny Army Depot most of his working life. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and pride in his work. From November 1990 until May 1991 John again served his country, this time as a civilian. He volunteered to go to Saudi Arabia to assist in construction during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was a proud Marine, and was active in all of the local veterans clubs. He was a Life Member of a number of veteran's organizations: the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, the Amvets, the VFW and the Veterans of the Vietnam War. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge e and the Chambersburg Club. Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Sat., August 22 in the chapel of the Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg, with the family receiving friends at the funeral home from 7-9 PM on Friday, and from 9-10 AM on Saturday. Interment, Parklawns Memorial Gardens, where members of the Marine Corps League, Landis-McCleaf Detachment Color Guard will conduct military graveside honors.

Public Opinion, Weds., 8/19/2009