Mr. Gino Balestra

February 27, 1920 – October 14, 2010

With profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of Gino Balestra, husband, father and grandfather. He is survived and will be missed by Nicolina his devoted wife of almost 60 years, his loving daughters Connie (Curtiss) Deugau; Diana; Lorena (Stewart) Clowes and his adoring grandsons Conrad and Alexander. He also leaves behind his sister Giulia in Italy, many nieces and nephews throughout Italy, Venezuela and Australia. Remembered by his second cousin Victor Tutte. Predeceased by his older brother Pietro (Adelina) and older sister Filomena (Rugiero) Fanini.

Gino was born in Monsampolo del Tronto, Italy. He helped the family toil the land until called to duty as a Bersagliere in the Italian Army (WWII). After the war he met and later married Nicolina in January 1951. Two months after the birth of their first daughter, with much trepidation he left behind his family and homeland to seek a better life in Canada. On Christmas Eve, 1951, he arrived in Halifax. He continued his journey by train arriving in Vancouver on New Year’s Day 1952. He had been sponsored by his uncle Giovanni Neroni,. Initially he was employed at various jobs: laying track for CN in Manitoba, participating in the construction of the hydro electric power plant in Kemano, and cement work in Victoria. By 1955 he landed a stable position in construction working as a cement finisher for Lloyd Breeden. This team laid many foundations for homes in newly developing North Vancouver. Due to illness he was forced to change his work. He moved indoors to work as a Teamster warehouseman until his retirement in 1985.

How Italian can you get! Construction and Teamster!

After wife and daughter joined Gino in Vancouver in May 1954 they brought their first home on Quebec Street (Feb 1955). They continued to live there even after the family grew by two more daughters, until they moved to their current home in May 1985. All the while parishioner’s at St. Patrick’s Church. In his retirement Gino most enjoyed gardening, wood working and grandparent duties.

Retirement also allowed Gino and Nicolena to enjoy travel to Italy, Australia, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico as well as many bus tours throughout the United States and Canada. They were socially active in retirement through the Retired Teamsters; the Italian Cultural Center Seniors Club, the Italian Seniors Club and the South Slope Y Seniors Group.

Gino was an avid Canuck fan from their beginnings in the Western Hockey League. He happily welcomed his two sons in law who enjoyed sports as much as he. More men on his team! Yes!

Gino treasured his two grandsons and was very pleased with their accomplishments.

He was overjoyed at reaching his 90th Birthday and being able to witness Canada win so many gold medals at home during the Vancouver Olympics. While he was proud of his Italian heritage, he firmly adopted Canada as his home.

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Burnaby, BC.