Basil Baudo

 Basil “Buzz” Baudo went to his eternal rest in the arms of Jesus on August 7, 2024. His final wish was to leave this earth in his own bed at home and his family honored those wishes. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 20, 1928, to Sicilian immigrants Diego “Jack” Baudo and Grace Tolino Baudo. Growing up during the Great Depression, he joined the Army after completing high school during World War II. He assisted with the reconstruction of Hiroshima before he was honorably discharged in November 1947.

 He obtained training in electrical engineering and took a job at Halicrafters in Chicago where he met the love of his life, Helen Ayrom Baudo. They married on August 29, 1952, and were blessed with six children. 

 He was hired as Customer Relations Manager for ITT and was transferred to Milan, Tennessee in 1964. He settled his family in Jackson, Tennessee where he and wife Helen opened B&H Pizza Parlor which was the first pizzeria in Jackson. The business grew into Baudo’s Restaurant, an upscale restaurant which served Jackson for over 50 years. Buzz worked alongside Helen as business manager until the restaurant closed in 2019. 

Buzz was involved in the political arena in Jackson in the 1980’s and 1990’s as campaign manager for both Mayor Bob Conger and Commissioner Johnny Parham. 

 His favorite pastime was giving “whisker rubs,” tractor rides, lawnmower rides, and later in life motorized scooter rides to his progeny who lovingly called him Papa. He was happiest at family gatherings, and especially holidays with wife Helen cooking grand feasts. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen Baudo; mother Grace Baudo; Father Jack Baudo; sister Nicolina “Colleen” Baudo; and great grandson Drane Smallwood.

He is survived by his children: Sharon Smith (Tom Carr), Bob Baudo (Kim), Jack Baudo, Brenda Christopher, Linda Smallwood, and Steve Baudo (Terri); grandchildren Randy Smith, Chad Smith (Joanne), Chris Baudo (Denise), Brooke Ott (the late Tbo Ott), Thomas Baudo (Jordan), Kelly Pitts (Chip), Nick Christopher, John Smallwood (Tori), Tyler Smallwood, William Smallwood II (Alana), Courtney Baudo, Alex Baudo (Rosey); 37 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are brother Salvatore “Sam” Baudo, sister Josephine Kristufek, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great nephews. 

SERVICES: A funeral mass will be held Saturday, August17, 2024 at 11:00AM in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors with Father David Graham officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until service time at 11:00AM. A burial will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

 The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org or Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1875 Eye Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC, 20006, www.pva.org.

 Arrington Funeral Director, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111 www.arringtonfuneraldirectrs.com Facebook/Arrington Funeral Directors

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