Louis J. Balzi

Louis J. Balzi, age 86, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 21, 1938, he was the son of Luigi and Josephine (Petrucci) Balzi. Louis was raised in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, one of twelve children. After the untimely passing of his father, Louis left school to help support his family. He later returned, enrolling in night classes, proudly receiving his high school diploma before enrolling in business school.

In April of 1956, Louis joined the United States Army, ready to serve his country. During his time with the Army, Louis was stationed in Germany and specialized in heavy weapons infantry. He was honorably discharged in February of 1958 with the rank of Private Second Class.

On October 30, 1960, Louis married the love of his life, Angeline J. (Sacramona) at the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in their hometown of Hyde Park. The pair had known each other since they were learning to spell their own names and had always been friends. Louis and Angeline made their married home in Hyde Park and began to raise a family. With their family growing, they moved to the suburbs for more space, landing in Medfield, Massachusetts, which they lovingly called home for 40 years. In 1999, with the children long gone off on their own, Louis and Angeline moved to Sagamore Beach on Cape Cod, able to enjoy the water all year long. Louis and Angeline moved to East Walpole in 2019 to be closer to family.

Louis would hold a variety of jobs over the years; he found employment at a steel mill, and worked at a nursing home, he slung drinks at a local bar, and in the 70's and early 80's, he was the proprietor of Lou's Package Store in Cleary Square (Hyde Park). He would later work as a warehouse manager for GTE in Taunton until his retirement in the early 2000's. Louis was a hard worker, sometimes holding two or three jobs to support his family. Even in his retirement Louis stayed busy working at the Christmas Tree Shop at the base of the Sagamore Bridge. This was possibly his favorite job, as he enjoyed building the displays for the store, and was able to commute with his wife who also worked there.

In his free time, Louis loved spending time with his family. He was incredibly close with his mother and siblings as well as his nieces and nephews, who lovingly called him "Uncle Junior". His wife and children were the most important people in his life. He did not know that he could love anyone as much as them until he was given the title of "Papa" with the birth of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Louis also had many friends, who were like family. He was incredibly outgoing and friendly, and people could not help but gravitate toward him.

Louis had a variety of hobbies and pastimes. When he was younger, Fridays were for the bowling league and every Sunday he would relax at home with his favorite Mills Brothers, Frank Sinatra, or Elvis record. He was a voracious reader, borrowing every non-fiction book on WWI, WWII, the mafia, or sports from the library, leaving them on the kitchen island once he finished them to signal that they were ready for return. Louis loved everything mafioso; spending hours reading about Al Capone and watching old gangster movies. He also loved watching sports - golf, boxing, football, anything except for basketball, having little patience for the constant fouls. Louis read the Boston Herald every day, solving the daily puzzles, and kept his mind engaged with Crypoquotes. One thing that Louis and Angeline loved to do together was visit the casino where he would try his luck playing "Let it Ride". They took a yearly trip to Saratoga, New York with friends to watch horse racing, hoping their favorite thoroughbred would cross the finish line first and bring them an exciting windfall. Louis was most famously known for his love of cooking and baking, with everyone knowing that there were specific "Papa Ways" of making your favorite dishes. He loved to bake bread and cookies, dropping pizzelle's off as a surprise treat to his family members. Cooking was his passion, taking pride and joy in every dish he made, working in his cozy kitchen and wearing his iconic apron. He will be remembered with every bite taken of his favorite dishes.

Beloved husband of Angeline J. Balzi

Loving father of Judith A. Glover of Richmond, Virginia, Louis J. Balzi Jr. and his wife Stacey of East Walpole, Carol Ann Bowen and her husband Michael of Taunton, the late Joseph Balzi and the late Louis Bauer

Cherished grandfather of Stephanie, Lauren, Jordan, Krystal, Christopher, Emma, and Florian; and great grandfather of several great grandchildren

Brother of Anna Gangemi of Sandwich, and the late Olga Lynch, Jennie Dundon, Ida Piatelli, Adele Sesisto, Margaret Alward, Viola Ferraro, Doris Balzi, Josephine Karas, Phyllis Smeglin, and Richard "Archie" Balzi

Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Louis' visitation on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Louis' name may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting https://www.stjude.org/