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Walter Baldwin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Walter Baldwin
Sponsored by Lynn Galligan and Family.
Laura Hernandez
October 20, 2009
It has been over 5 years now and I still miss him so much. August is a very difficult month for us.
Daddy, I love you.
steven hernandez
September 12, 2004
my papa was the best papa on earth.
fishing will never be the same.
when i was with him in the morning
we went to get breakfest sandwiches.when we went to get bugs
and it was disgusting.its just good
that i didint get to do it.the first day the first fish was giant.
it was very fun fising with my granpa and what got anoying was when he said ahha ahha ya ahha and his father is having a hard time.papas house smelled wierd and we watched action movies together.His stupid anoying jokes made me laugh.I hope tht everyone that new my papa are doing better
love
steven
Kimberly Kindice (Lelouarn)
September 9, 2004
Balone Fisher(short for Abalone Fisherman)is how I knew Ed. I have countless memories of camping at Bridgehaven with my Papa and Grandma (Frank and Jackie Lelouarn), and of course Balone Fisher. It wasn't until I was older that Balone Fisher became Ed. I remember one time it was cold and foggy at the ocean and Ed came into our camper with his coffee in a tin (Swiss Mocha I think). He always had it and to this day I think that night when I couldn't have been more than about 7 or 8 was my first cup of coffee that Ed made me from his special coffee tin. It was the best coffee! My most favorite times were when Ed and Papa would be fishing with the nets and they would get a whole bunch of fish. If you have ever been there you know the fish don't all make it in the bucket! I was quick to pick them up and get them in the bucket! Running from one bucket to the other (At 25 years of age I did this last summer)! The best part of my weekends at the ocean had to be when the fishermen let me go out to the point with them at Duncan's Landing. I thought I was pretty special and big stuff when they let me join them out there, looking for fish. Of course it wasn't Christmas at Papa and Grandma's until Balone Fisher showed up. I know my Papa will miss Ed very much, especially at the ocean. The ocean and fishing will never be the same. I know I will miss Ed, the ocean and picking up fish will never be quite the same. My thoughts are with all of you. Balone Fisher we all miss you, but I know you are happy watching all of us and probably getting in the best fishing yet! Love, Kimberly Kindice (Frank and Jackie's granddaughter).
Madison Galligan
September 8, 2004
My grandpa is a big part of my heart (and his fish smell).He was amazing!With all his storys and great sence of humor .He was the world .Every time we would vist we would think this will be fun ! When we would see him it would be like we saw him every day.One day with granpa was like a week.And as you all know we would always open grandpas gifts first at christmas . One year it was a box of cookies, one year it was a huge case of rings pops.And even though they were the craziest gifts they we still the coolest. I love you so much grandpa .And miss you.
Laura Baldwin-Hernandez
September 5, 2004
I’d like to tell you about my dad. He was funny, smarter than he ever let on, modest, and a man of great integrity and honesty.
My very first memory of my dad is from when I was somewhere around 2 years old. He took me to Thrifty’s for a chocolate ice cream cone. Most of my other young childhood memories are of fishing and camping. As soon as I could walk he had a fishing pole in my hand!
I remember arguing with him over and over again about whether tomatoes were a fruit or a vegetable. I’d go get the dictionary in the middle of dinner and show him the entry,but we never solved that one.
He also teased me mercilessly about Donny H. (you know who you are) when I was in elementary school! I had my 20 year high school reunion a couple of years ago and I said "Daddy! Guess who I danced with at the reunion!" After about 3 seconds he replied, "Donny H!!" He was right.
In my early teen years we bumped heads a lot. He’d want to watch WW II movies on TV and I wanted the Donny and Marie Show. We’d out stubborn each other often.
When I was about 17 I started seeing my dad more as a person. My opinion of him didn’t change much, but I understood him in a more adult way. I still thought he was a good dad and a good person.
When I grew up and Geoffrey was born I recall one time going to his place with Geoff for dinner. Geoffrey was only about 9 months old and I had forgotten his pacifier. When I went buy a new one, I came back and I found Geoff and Grandpa listening to Ted Nugent louder than anyone should as Geoff sat in the middle of this tiny livingroom quietly listening and smiling! Daddy laughed when I had a fit. He thought it was a great thing to be doing.
Dad always made time to see us. Life got busy with 4 boys and he knew it was difficult to make time to get to Jenner. He made time on a regular basis to come and see us and I am so thankful that he did.
For the past 10 years or so, Daddy would come to the house and spend the night on Christmas Eve so he could see the kids open all their presents on Christmas morning. It was so fun for all of us. Then he’d head off for either Lynn’s house or Frank and Jackie’s. It was a tradition I cherished and we will miss that.
My dad gave me some wonderful gifts in life – I believe I was blessed with his honesty, his sense of humor,and thank the good Lord - his driving habits and sense of direction!
About a year and a half ago, my dad gave me the most precious gift of all. He was at the house and asked me if there was ever anything he did that upset me that I’d never told him about. I said that yes, it really upset me that he went fishing instead of to my high school graduation. (I’ll bet not a one of you are surprised!) We cleared the air and understood each other. He made that up to me by making sure he was at my son Geoff's graduation, which meant so much more to me than my own. I am so thankful that he had the foresight and the guts to approach me. It left us with nothing left unsaid and what more could anyone ask for.
Daddy died how he wanted to…quickly, privately and while he was out there beach hopping. I am thankful for that also. Dad was a good man and a wonderful father and I hope I made him proud.
Jacqueline Lelouarn
September 4, 2004
Dear Fritz and Eds family,
Frank and I will have a real hard time without Ed he has been a large part of our life, we spent more time with Ed than any of our families because we loved being near the ocean and the ocean always meant we would have a visit with Ed, the catching of fish seemed less important than just a day of good company with Ed and so many other lovely people we have met thru the years.
We will not really say good-bye to Ed because he will always be in our hearts, he would have loved the fine tribute from his friends and family. Love Jackie and Frank
Diana Vay
September 2, 2004
When I think of my Uncle Ed,the picture in my mind is of him laughing. I only saw him once or twice a year, usually on Thanksgiving. I very much looked forward to our visits. I knew he would have all of us giggling right away. I also knew that because he was in Nevada with us, he was sacrificing time with his kids and grandchildren. I want you all to know how grateful I am to all of you for sharing him with us. The spirit in which he lived his life can be an example to us all. ***** In 1992 my husband Eric had a bad accident involving the loss of his eye. We were traveling to Sacramento regularly for treatment. The morning of Erics operation Uncle Ed showed up. It meant so much to us both. He stayed with us for a few days, his moral support helped get us through those tough days with a bit of humor and a bunch of compassion and a few fishing stories too! *** Another memory that comes to mind is how supportive he was to his sister (my Mom Ginger)and her kids during a difficult divorce. We knew he was there for our Mom when she needed her big brother. One Christmas he gifted Mom with a stereo. I remember this because of how my Mom reacted. She cried of course!I realized then how special Ed was to be so thoughtful. He knew that mom could not afford to buy herself any luxuries because of the heavy load she carried raising three kids on her own. Ironically, I have never forgotten that stereo beause as teenagers we drove our Mother crazy listening to loud rock & roll. I know he would laugh at the thougt of our poor Mom and the gift that just kept on giving day after day, through Disco and Ozzy Ozborne, and always loud enough to shake the pictures on the walls of our home. Somehow I don't think that was what he had in mind, or was it? After all Mom and Uncle Ed were brother and sister! ***** It was comforting as a child to know that he was there for our family, for that I will always be grateful. There are many stories about Uncle Ed, funny, sensitive and loving memories he gave to all of us in his lifetime. I cherish these memories and I will carry them in my heart for the rest of my life and will always remember the goodness that was such a huge part of who Uncle Ed was. ***** Our hearts are in pieces and the pain cuts deep, I hope we can all remember him in the way I believe he would have wanted... with more love than pain and with more laughter than tears. My thoughts are with you all in this difficult time. With Oceans of love, Diana Vay
Geoff Bratsberg
August 31, 2004
One morning I was out with my grandpa looking for the hot fishing spot of the day. We drove out to one of his favorite beaches and walked out to look over a cliff to find some of his friends on the beach with their throw nets. We walked up next to a lady who had been watching the fishermen for quite some time. Grandpa asked her what on earth those people were doing down there with throw nets trying to catch a fish in the waves! The lady explained to grandpa that those skilled fishermen could see the fish come in on the waves and could time it right and toss the net out and catch a load of fish called smelt. Grandpa nodded and sounded extremely interested in the explanation. At that time I thought to myself: “wow he’s got her hook line and sinker, there’s no way she’d ever believe that he was one of the fishermen himself!” Then my grandpa did something I didn’t quite understand at the time. Instead of going along with the joke, he introduced himself to the lady and explained to her that he goes out and tosses his nets every single day. With a smile he said goodbye to her, and we took a walk down the hill and went fishing.
I didn’t understand it at the time but now looking back on that one single event, my grandpa’s personality can be described within that period of 5 minutes. Grandpa would always take every opportunity he had to be funny, to use his awesome sense of humor as I’m sure you all know. But at the same time, he would never ever do the wrong thing in any situation. To leave that lady thinking that he had no clue what was going on was a lie. It was a small lie, but still a lie, and to Grandpa that wasn’t right.
Over the years, that’s the big thing I learned about grandpa. No matter what the case, he did everything in his power to do the right thing. Whether it was pulling off the side of the road to let a faster driver by, waving at the traffic signalers every single time, or even not bringing home any fish over his limit, he did the right thing.
I once heard in a movie that the size of a person’s heart doesn’t depend on how many people they love, but on the amount of people that love them. Judging by the people in this room we can safely say that my Grandfather had the biggest heart of them all. Grandpa will be dearly missed and remembered by everybody in this room and by the countless other lives that he has touched and impacted.
There are many players in the great game called life. Unlike the majority of people, my grandpa went out on top. He went out doing what he loved: looking for the next fishing spot, and for that I am thankful. He won at life. You da man, Grandpa, you da man.
Bill Galligan
August 29, 2004
I have kown Ed for 12 years and in that 12 years I have never seen him get angry at anyone or anything. Ed was a good man with a great heart, he was constantly doing something for someone. He cared for many and many cared for him. Ed you will be missed. If there is a ocean in heaven we can all be assured that Ed is now it's gaurdian.
Gary Affonso
August 29, 2004
One year, when I was still a pretty small child, Uncle Ed gave me an inexpensive ceramic dinner plate for my Christmas present. What in the world is a little kid going to do with a cheap ceramic dinner plate?
Another year I got a can of store-bought tuna.
Now, one might be inclined to think that Uncle Ed was simply taking the easy-way-out in the gift-giving department. But that wasn't it. This wasn't just buying any-old-thing and wrapping it. Oh no. This was pre-meditated.
There was a theme each year to the gifts given to each of us kids. One year we'd all get cheap plates (each unique), another year we'd all get a can of food (again, each different). It went on like that, year after year, a different theme each Christmas. All the kids knew he had spent time contemplating, searching, procuring, wrapping and, finally, delivering presents that would yield a maximum of consternation to each of us.
It's now, of course, as an adult, that I truly appreciate those gifts. They were inventive and they were clever, to be sure, but most importantly, they were funny. And not just the cheap-laugh kind of funny (although I suspect the adults got some instant gratification from the bemused looks on our faces when the presents were unwrapped) but a funny that reaches across time and still touches me today.
That's a remarkable thing if you stop to think about it: that 20+ years later I still remember those bizarre Christmas gifts and each and every time I do I break out into a big grin. A powerful gift, indeed.
As I grew older and into adulthood, distance and schedules meant I saw him less and less. But on the happy occasions when our paths crossed (again, usually at family gatherings) he was always just as I remembered him from childhood.
And that's a remarkable thing too. As we grow up, our perceptions of the adults around us tend to change. The "Adults" of childhood simply become people, many with problems and foibles of their own. But Uncle Ed, for me, remained constant. From childhood to adulthood he was the same warm, caring, funny, loveable guy. Always a smile, always a laugh, always a teasing story.
As a child I simply enjoyed his presence. But as an adult I've come to deeply respect his ability to bring joy to people. There's a lesson to be learned by his example and I, for one, am taking notes.
In short:
He made me smile.
He made me laugh.
And while his exit has made me cry...
...revisiting these memories has also put a gladness in my heart. I am, quite literally, smiling through my tears.
Yet one more remarkable gift, care of Uncle Ed.
-
Adobe Creek Funeral Home
August 28, 2004
Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.
Ron Crandall
August 28, 2004
It was only 15 years ago that Ed and I were on the beach at Doran Park when I was asked if I knew who the Perch Fisherman was that everyone was always talking about, because he could get fish when no one else could. Ed and I talked about it and had a good laugh. Little did I know at the time it was Ed that they were looking for, and they were right, for the next 15 years Ed showed me and everyone else on the beaches that he could find fish when no one else could.
Ron, Sandy, & Annie(The Cookie Monster)
Lynn Galligan
August 28, 2004
Everyone who knew my dad knows what a truly remarkable man he was.
Ever since I was a little girl my father and I always shared a very special bond and every memory I have of him brings a smile to my face.
There are so many great memories I have I would like to share a few of them with you:
Whenever my dad and I would go to the grocery store no matter how many empty parking spaces were in the front he would always park in the back of the parking lot just in case the store experienced a rush of elderly people that needed the front spaces.
My father was the most law abiding citizen in america. If the speed limit was 55 dad would go 40. He had a great respect for the rules of the ocean, that's all I have to say about that (his fishing buddies know exactly what i'm talking about).
Some of the best times of my childhood were those spent camping, fishing and diving (EVERY WEEKEND)
He had a great love for the outdoors.
My father lived his life to the fullest on his own terms. He shared that life with MANY GREAT FRIENDS. There are so many of you I could never name you all indidually, however, I would like to send a special thanks to Fritzi Porter. You were so great for him and I knew how much he loved you, And to Dave Levine my dad thought the world of you.
I love my dad and will miss him so very much. Dad you're the biggest fish in the sea.
DEBBIE (LELOUARN)KINDICE
August 27, 2004
What a great man Ed was.My thoughts are with Fritzi and the family.He will be missed by many, including my family.Visiting the Ocean will never be the same.
Brent Hernandez
August 27, 2004
To my friend and father in-law. I love you and will miss you dearly.
Ed doing what he loved best.
August 27, 2004
Laura Hernandez
August 27, 2004
My dad would have been so pleased that his friends are being so supportive of me, my sister and Fritzi. We already miss him SO much. The calls I've received have been so comforting. Thank you all so much for your love and support and we hope to see you at the services on Sunday. Please feel free to email or call. We're sure daddy is in heaven teaching God how to fish the "right" way. We miss you, daddy.
Cheryll and Lindsey Affonso
August 26, 2004
Uncle Eddie B will always have a special place in our hearts. He was the best fishing buddy anyone could have had. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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