Michael J. Baddick

1949 - 2023

Michael J. Baddick

Michael J. Baddick, beloved husband, father, and pappy, 74 years of age of Brockton, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, upon arrival at St. Luke's Miners Memorial in Coaldale.

Born Thursday, March 31, 1949, in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Jacob J., and Adele T. (Navitsky) Baddick.

A 1967 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Mike served honorably in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He retired from a long career working heavy highway construction and then in retirement continued "working" with his son, Mike, doing home renovations, even if he was just holding the dummy end of the tape measure or painting the strike zone.

A standout baseball player in high school, Mike was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, and traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he played briefly before he enlisted in the Air Force. His military service was a source of pride. He supported his grandsons' pursuit of military service; Dalton enlisting in the Air Force like his Pap and Ryan enlisting in the Army National Guard before graduating from high school. Mike was an ardent Notre Dame football fan and passionate about Philadelphia teams.

He was always up for a road trip for the quality time it gave him with the ones he loved; to Gettysburg for antiquing with his lovely wife, Betty; to South Bend, IN for an Notre Dame football game with his son, Mike; to Abeline, TX with his son, Chris, to move his grandson, Dalton, home from the Air Force; to catch a Phillies game with his Abby girl or to Mechanicsburg where he learned to love a new sport watching his granddaughter, Katelyn, play soccer. He looked forward to the annual family trips to Holden Beach, NC. Mike even donned mouse ears when he joined his favorite princesses on a trip to Walt Disney World.

Mike coached little league baseball when his boys played and spent the last ten years on the sidelines cheering on his granddaughters.

He loved reading, breakfast club gatherings, trading stories with friends and knew everything about the Civil War. He was quick with a smile and ready laugh, as evidenced by the late-night card games with his son Chris and neighborhood friends or the fateful road trip to Notre Dame with his son Mike and a bunch of misfit dads, where he earned the nickname "Blue" (a reference to the movie Old School).

Mike was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and belonged to the Tamaqua American Legion.

Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Elizabethann "Betty" (Sverchek) Baddick; sons, Michael John Baddick and his wife Kathy of Mechanicsburg, Christopher Baddick and his wife Suzie of Brockton; his grandchildren whom he adored, Katelyn Baddick (14), Abby Baddick (11), Dalton Adams (25) and his fiancé Ava Lantgen, and Ryan Adams (22). He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins as a member of the Baddick family.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.

Call in to (570)-668-2550.

A Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. from the funeral home.

Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until the time of services.

Memorials in Mike's name to: Tamaqua Area Baseball Association, 986 Catawissa Road, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.