JOHN P. BAGINSKI Esq

BAGINSKI
JOHN P., Esq.
Prominent local trial lawyer, John P. Baginski, Esq., age 67, passed away peacefully at his residence in Palm Harbor, Florida, on May 28, 2017, after a 16 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves behind his loving wife, Jane (MacCaffrey) Baginski; and devoted daughter, Julia Felixa Baginski, age 11. Baginski was a well-known and respected lawyer in Pittsburgh, New York, and Philadelphia, recently retiring after 35 years of service with the staff legal operation of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. John began his legal career with the Pittsburgh law firm of Wayman, Irving, and McAuley in 1976. He joined the Liberty Mutual Pittsburgh legal office in 1980 as a staff attorney, became a Managing Resident Attorney for the Pittsburgh office in 1983 and in 1990 was promoted to the position of Regional General Attorney for the Central and then New York Divisions. His last post was as the Managing Attorney for the civil litigation group in Liberty Mutual's Philadelphia operation, the Law Offices of Baginski, Mezzanote, Hassan, and Rubinate. As Resident Attorney of the Pittsburgh field office Baginski and Bashline, Baginski is remembered as a font of knowledge with a talent for identifying practical solutions to the most difficult issues that attorneys faced. Recalled local attorney, Terry Bashline, "I was always amazed that he was able to listen to a situation, get to the bottom line, and provide a solution that just felt right and made me wish I had thought of it." John grew up in Arlington Heights, the son of Bernard Baginski, a Macintosh-Hemphill steel roll turner and accordion player and Ann (Kosinski) Baginski. He attended St. Henry's School through the 8th grade. At the age of 13, Baginski was selected to fill a coveted spot to represent the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh as a boarding student at Our Lady of Lourdes Preparatory Seminary in Cassadaga, NY. Baginski reflected tthat his years there were his most formative, teaching him that doing the right thing was always the best choice even though it was often the more difficult path. Baginski often spoke of the school's extraordinary group of priests and brothers who taught him Christian values and set the tone for the rest of his life. John graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971 with honors after living in the International House and serving as President of the Men's Council. He felt fortunate to attend Pitt at a time of dramatic change when the rise of social consciousness grew along with the commitment to make the world a better place. The mentor program at Pitt taught Baginski the rudiments of how to train, organize, and establish goals for groups. John earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1975, and upon graduation, lived in Munich, Germany teaching English at the Berlitz school, where he became fluent in German. Thereafter, he returned to Pittsburgh and embarked on a long and successful legal career. John was considered a polymath. He was a scholar of American history. He learned homebuilding from his father and uncles as a boy, and enjoyed the satisfaction of working on home improvement projects. He was an ardent traveler of the American West, a collector of historical ephemera, and an avid gardener. One of his most humorous gifts was a mug for "Mr. Know-It-All." There was truth in it. His friends remember him as someone who always put others first. He gave the best advice, with just the right amount of humor to put it all in perspective. Although he had an excellent legal and business mind that earned him respect and loyalty, it was his "open, loving and accepting heart that will be most remembered," said Mary McCrory who worked with him in the early days of her legal career. "He never judged, he always played fair, and the kindness of his spirit and the strength of his soul resonated for his friends, co-workers and family." Even as his illness progressed, John Baginski impressed those about him with his good humor, faith, and fortitude. As he neared the end of his life's journey, he quoted J.R.R. Tolkien to friends, "End? No, the journey does not end here. Death is just another path. One that we all must take." John was predeceased by his father, Bernard Baginski; and sister, Donna (Baginski) O'Lear; and grandparents, John and Sophia Baginski and Paul and Sophia Kosinski. He was also predeceased by his uncles, Ray and Henry Kosinski; and cousins; Bro. David Baginski and Gary Kosinski. In addition to his wife and daughter, John is survived by his mother, Ann Baginski, of the South Hills; and his brother, Richard and his wife, Dianne, of Brentwood. He leaves cousins, Thomas Baginski, Helen Baginski, Marcy (Baginski) Baird, Michelle (Baird) McNulty, Kelly Baird, Michael Baird, Edward Malinowski, Sandra Wells, Jay Kosinski, Geyer Kosinski, and Kristen Kosinski; nephews, Carl and Jason Donati; and other loved ones. He will be dearly missed. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Heinz Chapel in Oakland. All are welcome to attend.