Robert Francis Balise

01/11/2007

Robert Francis Balise, 87, of Springfield died Thursday at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke. He was the father of Carol R. Balise of Monterey. Born in Hatfield on Aug. 3, 1919, son of Paul N. and Celina Rhodier Balise, he moved to Springfield 60 years ago. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Balise was employed by Balise Chevrolet in Springfield for 57 years, working as service manager and, later, as a parts wholesale representative. He also worked for City Paint Factory of Holyoke for 18 years, and part time at the former Forest Park Ambulance Service for 30 years. He was a communicant of Holy Name Church in Springfield and a member of American Legion Post 344 in Hatfield, Forest Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7352 and the American Red Cross. He was a former commander of Forest Park Post 434, a life member of Elks Lodge 61, former president of the Chevrolet Service Managers Club Boston Zone, service manager of the year in 1954, a former 14-year sergeant of the Springfield Auxiliary Police, a first-aid instructor and blood chairman at the Soldiers' Home for the American Legion. Mr. Balise received many awards from the Springfield Pistol Team. In 1974, he attended the Gov. Paul Denver Rifle Competition, held at Monson Fish & Game, and placed second in the state. He and his wife, the former Dorothy C. Goldrick, were married 59 years. Besides his wife and daughter, he leaves a son, Robert P. Balise of West Springfield; three other daughters, Elizabeth Anne Balise of Scranton, Pa., Susan J. Bonini of Feeding Hills and Katherine H. Kroll of Portland, Maine; a sister, Beatrice Breor of South Windsor, Conn.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Robert Belise died Jan. 11, 2007. Family and friends are invited to meet Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Hafey Springfield Chapels, 494 Belmont Ave., with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 in Holy Name Church in Springfield. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Northampton. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert's memory to Holyoke Soldiers' Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040, or to the Holy Name Parish Development Fund, 323 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA 01108. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Irene; two sons-in-law, Robert and William; his daughter Carol's close friend, Raymond; nine grandchildren, Phoebe, Jessica and her husband, Jose, Michael, Sarah, Erin, Andrea, Kirsten, Joe and Andrew; four great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Alex, Jesenia and Joseph; and many nieces and nephews. HAFEY FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

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