Joseph Balchunas

Born in Waterbury on January 8, 1923, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna (Vasnoras) Balchunas. He retired from Anaconda American Brass in Waterbury.

Joseph graduated Leavenworth High, Waterbury, CT in 1942 and like so many of his classmates he entered the military that year. Joseph was one of the last remaining ancient sand sailors of the 4th Beach battalion during the European theater in WWII . He enjoyed and actively kept in contact will all remaining Sand -Witch members via their newsletter after his military service. His unit performed outstanding service at the battles in Gela and the massive invasion armada of Sicily/Salerno,Italy. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal 2 star, European Theater of Operations 3 stars, Good Conduct/Honorable Service Medal, Victory Medal and CT WWII Veteran Service Medal. He taught all who knew him the importance of the impact made by his greatest generation. He was a member both the American Legion and The VFW in Wolcott.

Joe loved photography and archived his family's growth with always a camera at hand. He enjoyed hiking/fishing and reading the Clive Kunstler books. As a machinist for Anaconda Amr. Brass, in his home he had his own machine shop as a hobby. His passion was for tag sales and antiquing .He and his surviving wife Helen and their family were active communicants of St. Maria Goretti and St. Pius X , Wolcott, CT Catholic Community.

The Balchunas family would like to thank Wolcott View Manor Community in their kind and compassionate care of Joseph and the ED/ST Mary's Hospital staff physicians/nurses who have taken care of Joe over the years. The family would like to thank especially Dr. Marc Raad, Dr. Sagar Phatak and their staff for all their help and caring compassion throughout Joe's life. Also, a special thanks to Mark Macary of Beltone in Watebury. His caring and excellent service gave Joe the joys of sound to live his life to the fullest.

Besides his wife of 65 years, he is survived by a son John Balchunas of St. Paul, MN, daughters Anna and Margaret Balchunas both of Waterbury, a son-in-law Robert MacDonald of Wolcott, who is the husband of his daughter Therese MacDonald who passed in December 2016. Joe loved his grand children: Jonathon and Daniel MacDonald, Jessica Balchunas and Jennifer (Balchunas) Scacino, and his great granddaughter Marie. He is also survived by his nieces, Lorraine Deyette and her husband Carl Deyette of East Hartford,CT and Joyce Bartuski, Oakville, CT. He loved his pet cats, especially Charlie who survive him.

Besides his daughter Therese MacDonald he was predeceased by his sisters Mary and Helen.

Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday June 9, 2017 at St. Maria Goretti Church in Wolcott followed by burial with military honors in Edgewood Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday morning from 9 to 10:30 AM at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home 690 Woodtick Rd.