Obituary for
Andy Balez
It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Andy Balez on November 9th, 2021 at the age of 67.
Andy was born and raised in Sudbury and spent the majority of his life in Chelmsford. He was the son of Léon and Lucile (Bossé), both predeceased. He was the soon-to-be husband of Janie Pagnutti (late husband Peter), widower of Adeline, cherished father of Mathieu (Fiona) and Jennifer (Gianni), brother of Lionel (late wife Mary-Ellen), the late Lorraine (Alfio), the late René (Nila), Jacques (Llynne) and Paul (Charlotte). His 7 grandchildren—Mateo, Hugo, Adelina, Felix, Theodore, Madeline and Ruby—adored their Pépé very much and he, them.
After the passing of his lifelong friend Peter, Andy became a father figure to the Pagnutti children Peter (Shawna), Chris (Tara), Brad (Marnie), Ryan, Jeff (Paule) and Sarah, and like a grandpa to Peter, Julia, Harlan, Isla and Hudson. Andy held Janie tightly in that time and has never let her go.
To the countless friends, neighbors, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members that received the benefit of Andy’s love, he will be remembered as being much more.
Andy worked as a heavy equipment mechanic at Inco for 30 years, then as a shop instructor at Cambrian College until 2019. He was a long-time blood donor, solver of sudokus, prodigious reader of books, equally prodigious sharer of books, watcher of hockey, eclectic collector, endless giver of unsolicited opinions, sender of emails, and generous craftsman of personalized tock boards.
Andy was unique (to say the least) and truly a giant of the heart. An understated man, with a keen and curious intellect and pokey sense of humor, he will be remembered most for the unfailing kindness he demonstrated through his actions, more than his words. He was, in essence, a professional helper. He was always there when you needed him. He took quiet pride in watching over the elderly family members that were important in his life, especially “the Aunts”, Adeline’s parents Paulina and Joe Alonso, and Janie’s mother Nonna Ada. He was an especially present and nurturing father to Mat and Jen—a daytime “stay-at-home-dad” before it was cool.
The family camp on Windy Lake was a very special place that he built and improved over the years to share with friends and family. After a tragic fire in 2020, he was in the process of rebuilding. In a cruel twist of fate, this became the site of his passing—in an accidental drowning—while doing what he loved most.
The family will host a Celebration of Life at the Caruso Club (385 Haig St, Sudbury, ON) on Saturday, November 20th at 3PM. All that knew him are welcome to join to remember him and celebrate everything he gave us.
In lieu of donations and in remembrance of Andy, the family would like you to simply find opportunities, big or small, to lend a helping hand; to just be there for one another.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Andy
Balez 1954 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Chelmsford, Province: Ontario