It is with great sadness that the LightHouse announces the recent passing of much loved teacher and colleague, David Baioni.
David began his Rehabilitation Teaching career long before the LightHouse, and we were so glad he joined our team in September, 2000. David was a true educator, teaching with passion, patience and gusto. He was honest and straightforward, generously sharing his personal experience with low vision, and he always looked to create a connection with his students. From teaching cooking and independent living skills, working with patients in the low vision clinic or hopping on Muni and hiking up the stairways of his students’ apartment buildings with a backpack of bump dots, magnification aides and teaching tools, David truly shared and demonstrated options and possibilities with each student. He will truly be missed by his colleagues and students.
A Funeral Mass celebrating David’s life was held on November 21 at Immaculate Conception Chapel in San Francisco. In addition to his work as a teacher, David was a wonderful musician and a musical fixture at Café Trieste in North Beach. While he played many instruments, he was well-known and revered in accordion circles. Here is a YouTube video which demonstrates David’s musical side.
David’s family sent us the following, which we are grateful to be able to share:
David Julius Baioni passed away at the age of 62 in San Francisco, where he lived all of his life. David was the beloved husband of Deborah Atencio Baioni, loving father of Sequoia and Melodie Baioni, and proud grandfather of Spencer Baioni. He now joins his parents, Julius and Margaret Baioni, who preceded him in death. David leaves behind adoring family members and friends with whom he celebrated his love of life and music. We will remember him as a devoted, loving person, and as an accomplished accordionist and pianist. His memory and his music will live forever in our hearts.
The LightHouse has established a fund in David’s name to support the work he so believed in, training people to be as independent as they want to be. Contributions to the David Baioni Teaching Fund can be made here. Be sure to choose the David Baioni Teaching Fund as your designation.
