In Memoriam : John Balzarano
John A Balzarano - age: 56
(July 16, 1954 to December 27, 2010 ) Resident of Farmingdale, New Jersey Visitation Information: Visitation Saturday Jan. 1, 2-4 pm Sunday Jan. 2, 1-3 and 6-8 pm Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Monday Jan. 3 at St. Catherine's of Siena Church, Farmingdale. Cremation will be private Obituary: John A. Balzarano, 56 of Farmingdale, NJ passed away suddenly at home on Monday December 27. John was born and raised on Staten Island and moved to New Jersey in 1978. John and his family lived in Ocean Township for 5 years before moving to Farmingdale. He was owner and operator of Willowbrook Green Houses which was a family business passed on from his father and originated on Staten Island before relocating to Farmingdale. “He grew beautiful flowers and was very creative decorating with them. John had a great talent decorating church altars during the holidays.” his wife Elaine said. John was a communicant of St. Catherine’s of Siena Church, Farmingdale. Upon his retirement from his business in 2000, John became a transportation dispatcher for Department of Transportation for the Ocean Township Board of Education. He was a graduate of Susan E. Wagner HS, Staten Island and New Jersey Institute of Technology with a BS in electrical engineering. John was a loving husband and devoted father to two beautiful daughters. Everyone who touched his life loved him. He was always doing for others. John's two daughter's Jennifer and Sherilyn would like to share their thoughts about their father, "The world lost a truly irreplaceable man this year's holiday season. We will be living our lives with the memory of this unforgettable soul close at heart. A man that was strong but sensitive. A man that was genuine and gave with no expectation of repayment. A man who put everyone before himself and would even sacrifice the shirt off his own back to help those around him. A man who inspired everyone around him. A man who never stopped taking on new challenges. He will be dearly missed." John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Elaine (nee Formica) Balzarano of Farmingdale; two daughters and a son–in-law Jennifer and Shawn Dillon of Coatesville, PA and Sherilyn Balzarano of Farmingdale; three brothers Ralph Balzarano of Naples, FL, James Balzarano of Staten Island, NY and Joseph Balzarano of Farmingdale; 9 nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call Saturday Jan. 1 from 2-4 pm and Sunday Jan. 2 from 1-3 and 6-8 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am Monday Jan. 3 at St. Catherine’s of Siena Church, Farmingdale. Cremation will be private. To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com. |
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Kenn ONeill - December 30, 2010  Contact this person
John was a proud and loving father and husband. He was a hard worker, with a great sence of humor and infectous smile. John will be missed by all that had the pleasure and good fortune to meet him. A former Southard Grange president, John was always there to help and just a phone call away.
Suzette O'Brien - December 30, 2010 Contact this person
I met John some 20+years ago when I was doing a fund raiser. He was so helpful. I would see him four or five times a year.
Each time I would leave the greenhouse happy and smiling. John would always go out of his way to accomodate me, the church or the schedule of whatever event I was involved with, and he always made me feel like I was getting all the best plants, obviously hand chosen by him. He was a sensitive man who appreciated natures beauty. And not ashamed to show it.
We had joked how people would want to work with(him with the flowers) and (me cooking and baking-I am a chef). We laughed about how hard the jobs both were.
One time I stopped over while John and his father were busy dead-heading geraniums. We were chatting and I automatically started snapping off spent stems, about an hour later the three of us had finished off three tables. The senior looked up and commented that I was a good worker. John later told me his father usually did not like when the ladies would fuss with the plants but that I knew how to work. I felt honored.
Not long after, I saw that Johns' father had passed. I stopped over John and Elaines' home with some Italian pastries. I was warmly welcomed by such a caring, genuine family.
On Monday I was looking through old pictures of my church that I had decorated for many years with Johns' plants and flowers.
I paused and thought of John remembering his goodness and wished him well.
Today I was shocked to read about John in the paper. My prayers and best wishes to Johns' family. I will always think of John and his kindness whenever I see the flowers and plants that I had seen in his greenhouses all these years. He was simply put, a wonderful person, I was lucky to have known him.
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