John was so kind to us at Strong Hospital back in October of 2023. 
My husband Arnie had been in a motorcycle accident.
Arnie said- he cares about me and doesn’t even know me.
I wondered why John hadn’t responded to my texts. He wanted me to keep in contact and let him know how Arnie was doing.
Julie Christensen 5858316772

Just heard about your loss my heart feels sad and knows how the hurt is for you and your family. May God bless you and your family with peace,strength and love . Many fond memories and happy thoughts.  

        Brenda Walsh (Giallella)

Sending love and prayers for the Banconi family.
I had the pleasure of being an employee when he had  Pizzeria on Allen and have kept in touch  truly a all around good man  A good boss is hard to find but harder to lose Jeff Stewart

Our condolences to the entire Balconi family. I was fortunate to have known Giovanni first as a friend, and then as his physician. He was the most gregarious and kind person once you met him.
  Unfortunately,. I was not in the Western New York area when the restaurant on Grant Street first opened, however, I heard many stories of how the family opened up their restaurant and hearts to all that came.
  Giovanni certainly faced many health challenges, and thankfully, he had the love and full support of his entire family. I always enjoyed my visits with Giovanni, and learned many valuable things during that time. I feel very fortunate to have had both Giovanni and his family in my life.
  Thankfully, he’s at peace, and I am sure, smiling down upon all of us. God bless you all, and you will always remain in our prayers. Love, Jim and Collene Panzarella.

My husband and I are so sad to hear the news of John passing.  We’ve lived around the corner from John & Fifa for the past 6 years and have gotten to know John just from walking our kiddos around the neighborhood.  John would always be relaxing on the front porch when it was nice outside.  He’d always welcome us to stop & have a drink & chat.  He was such a nice man and even loved to talk to our son, who just turned 2. He (and Fifa) would bring out snacks for our son and would spend time hanging out with us when we’d stop by to say hello.  He even sent us home with some homemade food or sauce to try.  So very nice of him! We  will also miss seeing him when we get some of our favorite takeout at Italian Village- My husband always loved going to pick up the food early just so he could have a drink at the bar and talk to John until the food was ready.  We will miss seeing & visiting him.  You’re family is in our thoughts and prayers.
-Jen, Jon, Nico & Giuliana Silvestri

Dear Balconi Family,

We are sadden to hear of John’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sue and I will miss our conversations with John over a nice glass of red wine in the corner of the bar at the Italian Village. He was always a joy to converse with and had many stories of the old days.

God bless from your neighbors on  Greenbriar, 
Sue & Craig Muni

We are greatly saddened at Giovanni's (John) passing. We were neighbors for many years on Grant Street at Royal Printing Co. It was always a joy talking to John. He will be greatly missed. Our sincere sympathy to his wife and daughter. May God bless them at this time.

Tovie Asaresse and Grace Campanella

Dear FIFA and family. 

So sorry to hear about John’s passing. 
He was a kind, thoughtful and generous person.  We have many fond memories of him over the years: From  Grant St,  Wherle Dr, and Transit Rd. We will miss him.

Dear Mrs. Balconi and Family,
I was very sadden when I heard of the passing of your husband, John. John was a friend of my father, Ralph Galanti Sr. and Bill Delmont, both from Lackawanna. I got to know John from them and I had the privilege of calling him my friend. He was one of the most thoughtful, friendly and loyal friends I have met. I loved his storytelling and had many laughs with him. Every time I came into your restaurant, he made me and my family feel like family members, not customers. I am sad that I am presently in Florida for a few weeks because I would have like to pay my respects and say my final good bye to my friend. He will be in my prayers and you and your family in my thoughts. With my deepest and heartfelt sympathy, Ralph Galanti Jr.

My sincere condolences to the Balconi Family during this time of sorrow.  I remember the day I met John,  I was eating with some friends and he came to the table, greeted us, we started taking and the next thing you know he brings us wine (that’s how John was) and from that day forward we were friends, even better he treated me like family.  John loved his heritage and  his family..  He  had a big heart,  he had honor, he never minced words, I liked that about him. Over the years he touched so  many people, He will surely be missed.  RIP my friend. God Bless

John Balconi was a man deeply committed to his family, his friends and wonderful restaurant. 
I was fortunate to know John and his family for more than 40 years.

The Italian Village Restaurant is legendary for its great food and service. John made it that way with hard work, attention to detail and plenty of love.

Rest in Peace , my friend!
Russ Gugino

We are so sorry for your loss.  The memories of him will last forever.  What a honor to have known him, such a great man! You will all be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 
Love,
Kevin Simonian and Family

Dear Balconi Family, 
   Our Deepest Sympathy for Your Loss. John was a wonderful, kindhearted man with a great memory. He will be missed!   We first met him when he opened the Italian Village on the West Side in 1978 and we became "regulars".  Not only did he serve the best Italian food in town he was a loveable genuine man. May his Love Live on through his family and may he RIP.

Rest in Eternal Peace, John. you were a gentleman who made an indelible mark on my soul. Remembering all the fun at Italian Village over the many years. Condolences to  Fifa and the kids and grandchildren. with love- Cat Mcentire (one of your first customers on the West Side in 1980)

Domenica:

I am sending love to your whole family. Your father will be missed by so many. He was a wonderful person & you are so lucky to have such a wonderful family. Your father always made sure I had  free cannolis  when we picked up our Christmas Eve food. He was always such a giver, just like you! His bright light will live on through you & your girls. 

Love you,
Karen & Shawn & Reagan Taylor

My sincere condolences to John’s family for their loss. A great friend to the men & women of the BPD over the years. R.I.P. John.

Giovanni was a great man. He made Italians proud. I know his family will continue on his great tradition. Sending our deepest condolences from the DiPaolo Family.

Mr. Balconi’s legacy of kindness shines through his son,  John & his entire family.  All my thoughts and prayers go out for him & his family at this difficult time.  May he rest in peace.
Lyn Courtemanche

My family grew up on the west side and frequented the Italian Village often. Birthdays, Graduations, and many other special events were spent there! Every time we were there, John as we knew him was cooking up a storm and everything he made was delicious. He would come out and talk to us and he knew a lot of our names. John was a typical Italian who could make you feel so comfortable and at home. When they closed the Grant St. location we were heart broken but got to love the new locations because the food was still the best! Our favorite dish to the day is the Pasta Fasol. May John rest with the Lord and serve them the best meals ever. Rest in Peace and thank you for over 40 years of feeding my family and being the great person you were!

The Mendolera Family

Ciao Giovanni ti ho voluto bene e sempre te ne vorrò
RIP
Ambrogio (Milano Italy)

Will never forget John; he was a wonderful man.  Used to go to the Italian Village every Friday night.   Loved the entertainment and the dancing and many times dinner.  He was the greatest cook.  Went on Grant St also at least once a week until he closed for good.   Our many conversations him, I and my gentlemen friend will stay with me always.   He was loved by many and will be missed so very much.   Fly high with the angels John.   The world is not going to be the same without you.    Rest in peace dear friend.     
 
Marlene  Marranca

John was a man who never forgot your name and treated you like family. From the first time I walked in his restaurant on grant street 40 some years ago to the last time I seen him on transit rd. truly one of a kind. I will miss you my friend until we meet on the other side. rest in peace.

Sad to hear the passing of John,he was a great person,I remember working for him on Grant Street,may he rest in peace

Giovanni was one of kind, 
He always  warmed up a room he walked into
he was kind, caring and loving to all.
He will be deeply missed but his memories will always bring  genuine a good feeling and comfort to all that had the time and chance to know him. 
My love and prayers for his family during this time
Kind regards 
Romeo

Great guy.  Always enjoyed his company and cooking.

Fifa, John , Domenica and family,
We are so heartbroken at the passing of our dear friend John.  We always had a great time sharing stories and memories.  Whether it was downtown on Grant Street, on Wehrle Ave , Transit  Road or at the house both FIFA and John always went out of their way to show us hospitality.  We certainly wish we could have traveled out there more often.  We were his friends from Amsterdam where his friend Duke was the Mayor that he visited and loved.  Please accept our deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy at this time of sorrow.  We love all of you and may God be with you during this most difficult period.

Our hearts and prayers go out to John’s Family during this difficult time. As a child, I remember John personally delivering food at my Grandmother’s house on the West Side. As a family, we gathered several times at the new location for special family celebrations. John was kind and personable. He had such a warm and loving heart. Thank you John for being apart of these wonderful memories.

Our condolences to the Balconi family for the loss of our friend John. May the lunches continue at the Italian Village for 20+ retired police officers from old Precinct #10 on Niagara St. RIP my friend.

You will be missed and loved by so many.. I will always remember how wonderful you were to me and my family💙 


I loved working at the Italian village and how you and your whole wonderful family treated everyone like family 💙

Condolences to Fe-fa, Mimma, Johnny and to the whole family. A really sad news. Was looking forward to our yearly Buffalo visit this May with the usual stop at your restaurant and home. Last visit was this past July with lot of stories from John. Have known John since 1974 and he always consider me and my late elder brother as true brothers. You will be surely be missed, John!

To the Balconi family

John was a wonderful man, I remember his place on the west side the Italian village where it all started. He always had a smile on his face visiting the restaurant, my deepest condolences to all the family

To the Balconi family- My deepest sympathy to all of you. John was a great man & friend. He will be missed by many. RIP John.

Dear Balconi Family, I am very sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful man and a friend to all who knew and loved him. I will miss him very much. Prayers for him and all of you at this very difficult time. May he Rest In Peace.

So sorry to hear he was a great man always took care of us on the west side when he first started his business rest in peace

To the Balconi family.
Please accept my most  heartfelt sympathy . 
Giovanni was an inspiration and  a pillar of this community. He is part of the fabric that wove the Sicilian immigrants of Buffalo's West Side, so tightly together.  
I'll always remember his warm, welcoming smile.
To my friend John.
I see so much of your father in you.  In your amazing personality, work ethic and in how much you love your family.  Your dad's love is eternal. Let that love be your guiding light.
Sending  healing prayers and  love to you all.
Karen Levesque

OBITUARIO

Giovanni Balconi

21 agosto, 1949 – 10 febrero, 2024

Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home

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