Louis Alfred Balazs

Louis Alfred Balazs, age 89, passed away on February 19, 2026 in Brooksville, FL. He was born on May 15, 1936 to Charles and Anna Balazs in East Hempstead, NY. After graduating from Lynbrook High School, he joined the Army and was a proud Veteran who lived most of his married life, raising his children in Wantagh, NY.

He worked for Bell Telephone before becoming an integral part of Dejana Truck & Utility, helping build it from the ground up. He worked hard and expected the same from others, especially his kids. He taught them that life wasn’t always fair, and he was happy to tell them where they could find sympathy…ask them.

Lou retired to Calabash, NC, and he and his wife, Lee, settled into the leisurely pace of beach life. They would often be out and about in search of a new restaurant to enjoy a good meal. Doctor approved or not, he enjoyed food, especially blue claw crabs, which he feasted on each July at the Balazs Family Crabfest. He looked forward to this annual event, not only for the crabs, but to spend time with the extended family he loved so much. He spent his life rooting for the NY Mets. He knew that if they would just listen to what he yelled at the TV, they would have a winning season. If you sat and talked Mets with him, he was your friend for life. In their later years, Lou & Lee moved to Brooksville, FL to live with their oldest daughter, Karen, where she lovingly took care of them both, until their passing.

He is survived by his children, Karen Balazs, Christine Balazs Guglielmo (Mike), and Douglas Balazs (Sandi); grandchildren, Nicole Guglielmo Watts, Tyler Guglielmo, Rhiannon Balazs, Remus (Noelle) Balazs, Max Balazs; sister, Esther Balazs Bertocci; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lee States Balazs; his son, Louis Charles Balazs; and six siblings.

A Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00-11:00am on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Merritt Funeral Home (2 South Lemon Avenue, Brooksville FL 34601), where Funeral Services begin at 11:00am. Interment with Military Honors to follow at 1pm at Florida National Cemetery (6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL).