'A Quiet, Gentle Soul': David Baldwin Remembered

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Dementia had forced him to take a hiatus from singing with the church choir he loved, but before his last day, David Baldwin was back with the group, singing and seeming just like his "happy old self."

That's according to friend and fellow member at St. Andrew's Episcopal, Heather Northup Marco.

Baldwin, 63, was last seen at church Sunday evening. On Monday, police found his body in a wooded area not far away.

It's left those who knew him hurting, and remembering a man who was gentle, kind and dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.

Northup Marco recalled that knowledge-seeking quality even as Baldwin faced what police describe as "early-onset dementia," a diagnosis Northup Marco specifies as Lewy Bodies Dementia, a form of the disease that attacks both mental and physical faculties.

Even confronting the daunting diagnosis, she believes Baldwin "took it in stride" and went to work researching and seeking to understand what was coming. He was concerned for his wife Jean, who he adored, but he faced his prognosis resolutely, Northup Marco said.

"I know it was hard for him, but I know he faced it very bravely," she said.

Baldwin loved his music, she said, and being forced to take a hiatus from the church choir was one of the hardships of his disease.

"Last week he seemed to be his old self again," she said. "He was so happy to be back up in the choir."

Baldwin was one of the first people to welcome her to the church, Northup Marco said. Her first impression was of "a quiet, gentle soul."

Do you have memories or thoughts to share about David? Please consider adding them by commenting here, or by emailing alison.bauter@patch.com

His gentle nature and kindness were universally recalled by those who shared their remembrances with Patch, from a woman who worked at Baldwin's pharmacy to a former co-worker.

Steve Sheeky told Patch he met Baldwin while interning at Garden in the Woods.

"He was a very kind and soft spoken gentleman," Sheeky wrote. "He loved the garden and was very knowledgeable about the history and a lot of the botany in the garden. He especially enjoyed helping guests at the garden gift shop and always greeted them with a smile and an offer to help. He will definitely be missed."

Northup Marco recalled that thirst for knowledge, too, as she spoke about Baldwin's faith.

"He had his own journey," she said. "I think he was always searching for the answers, and I think that's what made him so strong in his faith. He was so open-minded, and he wanted to be more knowledgeable. He was always searching for more knowledge."

Baldwin may have been quiet, but when he did speak, it was worth listening.

Northup Marco recalled his words of wisdom and his dry sense of humor.

"Sometimes you didn't hear much from him, but when he said something it was very meaningful," she said. "When he did talk, it just meant a lot. It meant he was welcoming you into his circle."

Image via Framingham Police Department

This story has been edited to reflect updated information from police.