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Francis Baldino Obituary
Francis "Cheech" Baldino, of New Haven, formerly of Guilford passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Kennedy Baldino. Born in New Haven on April 6, 1935, a son of the late John and Josephine Montori Baldino, Cheech was a 1953 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School. He served his country with honor in South Korea with the US Army. After being honorably discharged, Cheech began a 39-year career working at the United Illuminating Co. before retiring in 1994.
Cheech was the loving father of Judith (Christopher) Canetti, Gregory (Lisa), John (Melissa) and Patrick Baldino and proud grandfather of Shane, Chance, Alyssa, Lauren, Ryan, Lucy, Sara, Kara and Ella.
A fantastic two-sport athlete, Cheech loved baseball and football but had a passion for coaching. While in Guilford, he and a few others founded the Guilford Rec Football League and he was also the commissioner of Guilford Rec Baseball for many years.
After his youngest son Patrick graduated from Notre Dame High School in West Haven in 1988, Cheech joined the football team's coaching staff. He coached 22 seasons for the Green Knights, highlighted by winning two state championships. In 2014, Coach Cheech was proudly inducted into the Notre Dame Knights of Honor.
Visiting hours will be Saturday February 21st from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc., 11 Wooster Place, New Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Francis Baldino be made online to Notre Dame High School or mailed to Notre Dame High School, 1 Notre Dame Way, West Haven, CT 06516, to support student financial aid for a football player. Share a memory by visiting Cheech's Tribute page at www.iovanne.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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2 Entries
Barb Skomro
February 19, 2026
Got to know Frank for years working at UI. Great person with a personality to match. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
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Michael Arnone
February 17, 2026
It was a pleasure working with Cheech for many years at UI.,He was a very likable guy. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
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