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Marquette mayor dies after stroke

Longtime politician Baldini only served a month as mayor

TOM BALDINI

MARQUETTE — Marquette Mayor Thomas Baldini died Tuesday after suffering a stroke on Saturday.

Baldini, a longtime area politician and public servant, had become mayor in November after being mayor pro-tem. He was 74.

A former teacher at Marquette Senior High School, he joined Gov. James Blanchard’s staff as a special assistant for the Upper Peninsula in 1984. In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated him and the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment to be the U.S. chairman of the International Joint Commission for Canada and the United States, managing all of the waters shared by the two countries.

In 2003, he was appointed by U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak to be his district director. He retired from federal service in 2010.

Appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, he also served as a member of the Michigan Technological University Board of Control.

He was an adjunct instructor in the Political Science Department of Northern Michigan University.

“Tom was a remarkable public servant, mentor and personal friend who lived up to the ideal of serving the greater good of the Upper Peninsula,” said State Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet.

“Tom Baldini has been an icon in Michigan Democratic politics and the ultimate champion for our U.P.,” said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan. “His life epitomized the meaning of public service.”

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