Thomas Baroldi, Civic Leader and Dairyman, Dead at 74

Thomas Anthony Baroldi, a longtime dairyman who served on the city’s first council, has died at UCI Medical Center in Orange after a lengthy illness and complications due to pneumonia. He was 74.

Baroldi, a dairyman for 28 years, was on the original committee of dairymen to incorporate the area, then known as Dairy City, into Cypress in 1956. He served on the city’s first council in 1956 and became mayor in 1960.

After serving on the Cypress City Council for four years, he ran his dairy, one of the largest in the area, until selling it and retiring in 1968. Baroldi Sycamore Park, located on the same plot of land that later became a tract of homes, was named in his honor in 1969.

Baroldi, who died Tuesday, is survived by his wife, Irene, of Cypress; sons Tony Baroldi of Mission Viejo and Tom Baroldi of Yorba Linda; daughters Linda Baroldi-Hack of Whittier and Carla Murphy of Yorba Linda; sisters Rena Sierra and Irma Baroldi, both of Seal Beach; a brother, Leo Baroldi of La Habra Heights; and nine grandchildren.

Visitation will be today at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary Chapel in Fullerton, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m.

Mass will be said Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.