John Balzano passed away suddenly on September 17, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Kristine (Thomas) Lohr of Fairport, Joseph (Sherry) of Agawam, MA, and Julie (Aaron) DiCicco of Webster as well as his grandchildren Brynn and Alyssa Lohr, Billy and Maddie Balzano and Jacob and Colin DiCicco. He is also survived by his sister, Joan Porco of Albany, NY, and a large extended family. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Irene Balzano and his in-laws, Wayne and Betty Gilman.
John was born in Gloversville, NY on September 16, 1949. He graduated from Bishop Burke High School in 1967. He went on to study Mathematics at LeMoyne College where he met Barb, the love of his life. They were married in 1971, before John began graduate school at the University of Vermont and his legendary teaching career. After completion of his degree, John and Barb moved to the Rochester area to start their family. He continued his teaching career at Martha Brown Middle School in Fairport where he also took on the role as department leader. Throughout the years, John received countless awards and recognitions, contributed to several math textbooks and assisted in development of local and state math curriculum. John also encouraged student participation in math competitions, starting Math-a-thon while at Martha Brown, which has continued for over 35 years now. He also taught at Johanna Perrin Middle School in Fairport, before ending his teaching and supervisory career in West Irondequoit. John was passionate about math and learning, teaching students of all ages, including his own children and grandchildren as well as tutoring countless students and more recently spent time working with students in the Rochester City Schools.
John lived God’s call to ministry and service with activities as a part of several parishes, Mount Carmel in Gloversville, St. Patrick’s in Macedon, Church of the Transfiguration in Pittsford and communities beyond. He taught religious education classes, ministered to the sick, as well as homeless through RAIHN, led various prayer groups and participated in the Kentucky Men’s Fellowship Retreat.
John loved golf. That love began at an early age in Gloversville and continued throughout his life, sharing it with his children and grandchildren teaching them to play as well as participating in many golf leagues. He also loved music as evidenced by his countless hours of piano and organ playing and singing in church choirs and at home. Additionally, John could be seen on the canal path, running, walking or biking with family and friends, on the ski slopes at Hunt Hollow and at numerous extra-curricular and sporting activities as a devoted spectator and cheerleader for his children and grandchildren.
There will be a memorial mass celebrating John’s life on Saturday September 21st 2019 at 9:00am at Church of the Transfiguration, 50 West Bloomfield Rd. Pittsford, NY 14534. In lieu of flowers, as per John’s wishes, please consider donations to either the Church of Transfiguration or RAIHN (a ministry to homeless families in Rochester, 142 Webster Ave. Rochester, NY 14609).. Please see www.keenanfuneralhomes.com for more information.
Comments
28 responses to “Balzano, John G.”
Great guy,prayers and thoughts to his gamily.
Great guy,thoughts and prayers to his family
Great guy,prayers and thoughts to his family.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing, it’s our loss. Such a sweet man, with the voice of an angel. He will be missed. Our condolences to Barb and his family.
May God guide him home, I will forever remember the love and care that John and Barb extended to Joann and Russell during Russell’s frequent illnesses. They are beautiful people that made a difference in my Brothers life. God bless you barb and family
My sincere and prayerful condolences to John’s family and especially to Joan. All his accomplishments were in nascent form in high school and I was blessed to see them even then. May you all be consoled that he lived such a good life and is certain of enjoying his eternal reward.
Mrs. Balzano & family, please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Balzono.
I recall the many years of being your neighbor and babysitting for both of you. He played the piano and sang very well.
May God be with and bless you during this difficult time. .Fly high Mr. Balzano. I’m so proud to say I knew you and your family.
John was one of God’s special people. He spent his life doing good for others. Even heaven will be a better place with John being there.
My deepest sympathies to John’s family. He will be missed.
Nelson Mathias, Transfiguration
Will miss you John at our Friday prayer meetings and on the golf course. Our prayers are with your family and may you RIP.
I hadn’t know John for very long. He was a loving, caring Gentleman in every sense of the word!
The family has list a true friend.
Joe & Family,
Thinking of you. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you and your family.
Design & Construction Management
UMass Amherst
So sorry to hear this very sad news.
God, you took away a man that had so much more to accomplish. As a husband, father, grandfather, business man, a man of God, who followed in your footsteps. , He was a sweet, kind, man who loved life. But I’m sure you have something bigger in store for him. For you to have taken him so abruptly. God bless John’s beautiful family and friends as they try and make sense of this sudden passing.. He as well as his wife have big hearts and would do anything for anyone., I know they were very good to my family. They are great care givers. May God be with them all in their time of need. All my love and prayers .
A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Heartfelt condolences to Barbara and the entire Balzano family.
I worked with John many years ago at Martha Brown. John was a joy as a colleague. He was professional, kind, so competent and willing to do whatever was necessary to be helpful. I am praying that God gives the family whatever they may need today and in the weeks ahead. God Bless!
Balzano Family..sincere heartfelt condolences.
Many good memories with John between gymnastics and soccer.
RIP John
The Pierrot Family
Our sincere and deepest condolences to Barb and the family. We enjoyed being with John and considered him a wonderful friend even though we only saw him infrequently. He was a true and kind gentlemen. May he rest in peace and may the family know that he is now watching over them from heaven.
We have attended many Funeral/Memorial Masses over the years, but John’s Mass this morning was the most beautiful and touching Liturgy ever! It was truly a reflection of a wonderful, warm, kind, gentle and holy man–who will be missed by so very many. And, Joe, your dad would have been very proud of you — your tribute to him was perfect!
With our love and deepest sympathy to you, Barb, and your whole family.
Our sympathy to John’s family and Joan. We remember a kind, smart man w a big smile. Bill remembers a time in HS when John was playing on an upright piano in the back of a pick up truck rolling down Rte. 30. May ur memories make u smile too.
I’ll never forget Mr. B. As a teacher he could see everything and his love for math was infectious!
My deepest condolences on John’s passing to his family and friends. May he Rest In Peace.
RIP Mr B. We will never forget you. You gave us lots of love over the years as you supported Diksha over many years. You were incredibly kind, caring, loving and very compassionate person. I am so very sorry for your loss Barbara and Balzano family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Please accept my deepest condolences.
RIP Mr B. We will never forget you. You gave us lots of love over the years as you supported Diksha over many years. You were incredibly kind, caring, loving and very compassionate person. I am so very sorry for your loss Barbara and Balzano family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Please accept my deepest condolences.
I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Even though we weren’t related ‘by blood’, he was still family! Will always remember the trip to Rome and all the fun we “youngsters’ had. My sincerest condolences to Barbara, your children and grandchildren, Joan, and David. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. RIP, John.
Joe: my deepest sympathy to you and your family. May you find peace in your memories.
John made the world a warmer brighter place.
I’m so glad I taught at Irondequoit HS when John was there too.
A true gentleman, Fantastic teacher. Sending deepest sympathy to his family