Nick Baldarotta

Nick Baldarotta passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026. He was one week short of his 98th birthday.

Nick was born in Madison, Wisconsin on January 23rd, 1928, to Italian immigrant parents from Sicily. He lived in Madison his entire life proudly growing up in Madison's Greenbush neighborhood. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1946 and received an associate degree from Madison Business College. He was employed by the State of Wisconsin as custodian of files for the Department of Revenue.

Nick was called upon to serve his country as a Corporal for the United States Army in the Korean war conflict. He served from May 12th, 1950, and was honorably discharged on October 31st, 1952. He was awarded the Purple Heart as well as the Combat Infantry Badge for his service.

Nick married Karen Pfeiffer of Crandon, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1955. In 1966, Nick and Karen moved to their home on Odana Road, a place that became the heart of many cherished gatherings. Nick loved entertaining family and friends there throughout his life. He especially enjoyed spending time on the front porch, waving and smiling at the cars that honked as they passed to say hello.

Nick was an avid sports fan, proudly cheering for the Packers, Yankees, and Bucks. However, his favorite teams were always those closest to his heart—any team his children or grandchildren were part of. Whether it was a game, a school play, a musical, or any other performance, Nick was their biggest and most enthusiastic supporter.

Nick was the oldest living member of the Italian Workman's Club at the time of his death. He enjoyed volunteering at Festa Italia, helping to cook and serve Italian sausages, and spent years helping his son Gino on Badger football Saturdays serving up his delicious homemade meatball sandwiches at the Cellar Bar. He loved hanging out at Park Street shoe repair talking about life with all the other experts that hung out there. He was also a member of the now defunct Bersaglieri Club, which was another social club for Italian immigrants and their families in Madison.

Nick is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Karen Baldarotta; son Joe (Cindy); daughter, Nikki; sons Gino (Sarah Spencer), Gary, Charlie (Beth); daughter Mary "Peach" McClain; and four grandchildren: Nicolo, Jared (Lucy), Toni (Roy) and Charlie. He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and the generations that follow. He loved the visits from the family pets as well, and is survived by dogs: Klöden, Alphonse, Paci, Indy and Ivy; and cats: Franny, Louis, Luna and Wednesday.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Giuseppe and Antonette Baldarotta; brother Tony; sisters, Mary Queram and Fran Zirkel; and their spouses, Betty, John and Jim.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1905 W. Beltline Hwy., Madison. A visitation in his honor will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison from 4 until 6 p.m.

Special thanks to Dr. Takahashi at UW Health, the entire staff at Agrace Hospice Care, and the Veteran's Association.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agrace Hospice Care and Badger Honor Flight of Wisconsin.

Please share your memories of Nick by posting in his guestbook.