Walter Balasiuk
1939-2022
Walter Balasiuk, husband of the late Mary
“Jacqueline” (Armstrong) formerly of St. George NB, passed
peacefully in his sleep at the Passamaquoddy Lodge, St. Andrews NB on
September 11, 2022.
Born in Benito MB on October 19,1939, he was the son of the
late Karp and Luiba (Karaluk) Balasiuk – loving and Christian
Ukrainian parents that immigrated to Canada. Wally was a loving,
father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, devoted Christian and a
community man. Wally will be deeply missed by his daughter: Roberta
Pettersson of St. George NB; his grandsons: James Gravelle of Toronto
ON and William Pettersson of Sweden; one brother: Ronald Balasiuk
(Patricia); sisters: Frances Stolt and her late husband Gerald, Vera
Harden and her late husband Clarence, Ruth Birch and her late husband
Ted and Mary Kimpel all of ON; his sister in-law: Barbara (Armstrong)
Ginivan and her late husband Caleb of Franklin MA; Also Roberta’s
sister: Sonya VanTassel (Jay) of ON; and his close family friends: Lil
and Vaughn Boyle of Breadalbane NB. Wally was predeceased by his
parents, wife and one daughter: Maria Gravelle (John); and brothers:
Samuel (Pauline) and Peter (Jacqueline) both of ON; brother-in-law
Burton (Royce) Armstrong; and sister-in-law Jeanne (Armstrong) Young
(Allen) of St. George NB.
The family is too large to mention everyone, but none are
forgotten and all are loved. Each of Wally’s nieces and
nephews held a special place in his heart and each could surely share
of their special memory of their Uncle Walt.
A well-known figure in the local community, Wally sat on
numerous boards and committees. He previous sat as the chair of the
board of Atlantic Baptist Senior Citizens’ Homes Inc, Deacon at the
St. George Baptist Church and was involved with the St George and Area
Food Bank garden that he started, sowed, harvested and maintained many
years and there are numerous other organizations including his
commitment to the Conservative Party. Wally played professional
football with the East York Argos in 1964 and the CFL for the Toronto
Argonauts from 1965 to 1970. His final year in 1971 with the
Montreal Alouettes before retiring due to injury. Wally, Jackie and
Maria moved to New Brunswick in 1978. He was the president and one of
the founders of Jail Island Salmon until retirement. Wally enjoyed
fishing, traveling and watching birds and deer in the marsh. In later
years and travels, he reunited with his Ukrainian roots and family
remaining in the Ukraine.
A friendly man and gentle giant, Wally had the ability to
make you a friend after the first conversation you had with him. He
always went out of his way to greet those he met on the street and
always had a smile and laugh to help lift everyone’s spirits. In his
spare time he enjoyed a round of golf with his buddies. He loved
showing his magic coin trick to all the children and was a long-time
member of the St. George Baptist church and his devotion and love for
his church, his community and his family will be greatly
missed.
Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home
(755-3533), St. George NB. A funeral service will be held at the St.
George Baptist Church, St. George NB on Saturday at 11:00 am with Rev.
Darren Millett from Nova Scotia officiating, followed by the interment
at the St. George Rural Cemetery. Visiting at the church will take
place Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 am until the beginning of
the service, and a reception with light snacks, refreshments and slide
show will follow in the lower section of the Church. The service will
be live streamed and can be viewed by logging onto www.youtube.com/channel/UCl37xhVzpwGJ3EuJqv-pFWg/videos
In Wally’s memory, donations to the St. George Baptist
Church, the St. George Food Bank or Canada-Ukraine Foundation would be
greatly appreciated by the family.
www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-george-united-baptist-church/
www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-george-and-area-food-bank-inc/
www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/70605
(Canada-Ukraine Foundation)
www.stgeorgefh.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Walter Balasiuk 19392022..
Death notice for the town of: St-George, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick