John F. Balaschak

ASHBURNHAM - ASHBURNHAM - John F. Balaschak, 68, of 17 Water Street, Ashburnham, Massachusetts died on Monday, May 9, 2011 at the Health Alliance Hospital, Leominster Campus. John was born in Meriden, CT, on October 18, 1942, the son of the late John and the late Mildred (Wacek) Balaschak. He was raised in Meriden, CT and graduated from Orville Platt High School with the class of 1960. Mr. Balaschak attended the Horace C. Wilcox Vocational Technical School in Meriden, Ct and the University of Connecticut in Hartford, CT. He worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, CT, as an engineer for airplane engines for thirteen years. Mr. Balaschak then worked for Computer Vision in Bedford for several years and more recently worked for NEBS in Townsend for eight years until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Fitchburg Rod and Gun Club in Ashby, MA, The Knights of Columbus in Kensington, CT, and the First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in Wallingford, CT., where he participated in black powder musket and carbine shooting competitions followed by civil war re-enactments for many years. John was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting throughout his life. He leaves his wife of forty-seven years, Nancy (Lonuzzo) Balaschak; three daughters, Jacqueline M. Balaschak of Falmouth, MA., Wendy A. Fortier of Baldwinville, MA, Jennifer J. Jones and her husband Brad of Townsend, MA, and one son, Jeffrey T. Balaschak of Manchester, NH.; ten grandchildren, John Yarrington, Jacob Fortier, Olivia Fortier, Rachel Fortier, Michelle Fortier, Coco Fortier, Cheyenne Fortier, Casey Jones, Luke Balaschak, and Nadine Pabon. Three great grandchildren: Kale Ezelle, Cambria Pabon, and Atticus Pabon. One niece, Rhonda Busa of Meriden, CT; and two nephews, Thomas DeLorenzo of Southington, CT. and Michael DeLorenzo of Bristol, CT. He was predeceased by his sister, Muriel Busa. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. Burial will follow in New Cemetery, Ashburnham. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to The Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. or visit the website at www.woundedwarriorproject.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });