Send Flowers
Timeline for Gene Balsamo
Born: November 2, 1949
Died: February 19, 2023
Our condolences, uncle Gene. RIP
After reading condolences, I feel the need to give additional biographical material to further humanize my brother, Gene. As the youngest sibling, Gene lived through some unique experiences. For instance, he had 2 nephews who were actually older than he. Robert Balsamo was the older son of our oldest brother, Sal, and Frank Mancini was the stepson of our oldest sister, Nancy. The three were very close growing up and spent much time together. Robert, especially, would often stay during his high school years since he and Gene attended Brooklyn Tech at the same time. They laughed and giggled for hours until Papa finally would send Robert home for the night. Gene’s relationship with Robert and Frank was more in the realm of friendship. Gene also had a special closeness to my father who was almost 60 years of age when Gene was born. Gene was 18 when I married and Bill was already in the seminary, so Gene spent several years as an only child residing with older parents. He developed a different relationship and, I believe, spent time talking and learning about past family history. I hope that Gene was aware of his uniqueness within the family and the special place he held in so many hearts.
In remembrance of my youngest brother, Eugene, a warm, kind and special human whom I loved. With tears and a heavy heart, Lucy. Rest in peace.
I spent many weekends at my grandparent’s house (Uncle Gene’s parents) on Sackett Street in Brooklyn with my family. Uncle Gene was twelve years older than I, living at home and going to school. During the weekends, we spend time together. Uncle Gene was old enough to be my big Uncle Gene but still young enough to entertain me - his young niece. We had our tradition of watching ABC Saturday morning cartoons. (This was before cable TV or streaming services, so Channel 7 was the go-to TV station.) It was the hey-day of Hanna-Barbera cartoons, so we watched The Flintstone, Casper the Ghost, and the Cattanooga Cat Show. When the Super Saturday Morning Cartoon Club was launched, Uncle Gene helped me join (this was before laptops and online applications so we had to write a letter and mail it.) so that I could become an official member with my own button, stickers, and poster. We were loyal to ABC, but also watched Scooby-Doo, Where Are You and The Jetsons on CBS. You might even say that Uncle Gene and I recognized early the importance of the NASA program and space travel. In return for watching cartoons with me, I would watch basketball games with Uncle Gene. We would watch New York Knick games snacking on Drake’s Devil Dogs. Uncle Gene would explain the rules and scoring system. It was the start of my appreciation of sports and being loyal to a team. Fond memories from one of his nieces that I wanted to share and a blast from the past – think late 1960s! Rest in peace Uncle Gene.
You’re in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Uncle Gene.
Imagine my surprise when a beautiful baby boy arrived at our house in Brooklyn in November of 1949! At the age of seven, I had no idea that there was to a be an additional sibling. After all, we already were a family of 10 children. Gene was my seventh brother and I always loved him, sometimes in a motherly way. He was often referred to as “Baby Gene” by the family and we all hovered over him protectively. Eugene was named after the pope Eugenio Pacelli, Pope Pius XII. Always well behaved, Gene lived up to his connection to piety. At Sacred Hearts-St. Stephens Elementary School, Gene, a good student, had many of the same nuns/teachers who taught myself and my brother Bill and who constantly urged him to excel as did we. Like all my brothers, Gene was accepted into prestigious Brooklyn Technical HighSchool, an elite school in New York only for boys. During my senior year at college, I taught at Brooklyn Tech as a student teacher. Whenever Gene and I passed in the halls, he strove to avoid my gaze so he could ignore my presence. Gene succeeded at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and in his subsequent employment opportunities. He was always competent, kind and interested in the welfare of others. I will miss Gene’s love, his sense of humor and his quiet laugh. I know his love for others, especially to his family, his beautiful children, Mark and Laura, was silent, but deep. Gene’s last years were difficult ones and I hope he has found the peace he deserves. He will always live in my heart.
Dear Sue, You are in our hearts and thoughts at this very difficult time. We hope you hold onto the wonderful memories you and Gene shared together and hope they will bring you peace and comfort forever. Love, Stephen, Mary, Lexi and Arianna Dolan
We’re going to miss you Gene. RIP. Stay strong Sue.
I remember your visits to my kindergarten class. You were introduced to the students as Mr. Balsamo, an uncle to my children. After several weeks of helping in the classroom, you surprised us with an unplanned visit. I asked the students if they remembered who you were. After a brief pause a student yelled out, “UNCLE BALSAMO”! And that’s who you were the rest of the school year. Even strangers wanted to be in your family. RIP UNCLE BALSAMO
Follow link to video slideshow of Gene’s life: https://youtu.be/hArlpscJZu0
We miss you uncle Gene! Always so much fun to be around and generous to everyone. May your soul be glorified with God!
We love and miss you Uncle Gene. We always know UGLY forever.
To know Gene is to love Gene. RIP Gene. Condolences Sue, love and support always.
Gene, thank you for being my brother, mentor, and friend. I love you buddy.
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Our condolences, uncle Gene. RIP
After reading condolences, I feel the need to give additional biographical material to further humanize my brother, Gene. As the youngest sibling, Gene lived through some unique experiences. For instance, he had 2 nephews who were actually older than he. Robert Balsamo was the older son of our oldest brother, Sal, and Frank Mancini was the stepson of our oldest sister, Nancy. The three were very close growing up and spent much time together. Robert, especially, would often stay during his high school years since he and Gene attended Brooklyn Tech at the same time. They laughed and giggled for hours until Papa finally would send Robert home for the night. Gene’s relationship with Robert and Frank was more in the realm of friendship. Gene also had a special closeness to my father who was almost 60 years of age when Gene was born. Gene was 18 when I married and Bill was already in the seminary, so Gene spent several years as an only child residing with older parents. He developed a different relationship and, I believe, spent time talking and learning about past family history. I hope that Gene was aware of his uniqueness within the family and the special place he held in so many hearts.
In remembrance of my youngest brother, Eugene, a warm, kind and special human whom I loved. With tears and a heavy heart, Lucy. Rest in peace.
I spent many weekends at my grandparent’s house (Uncle Gene’s parents) on Sackett Street in Brooklyn with my family. Uncle Gene was twelve years older than I, living at home and going to school. During the weekends, we spend time together. Uncle Gene was old enough to be my big Uncle Gene but still young enough to entertain me - his young niece. We had our tradition of watching ABC Saturday morning cartoons. (This was before cable TV or streaming services, so Channel 7 was the go-to TV station.) It was the hey-day of Hanna-Barbera cartoons, so we watched The Flintstone, Casper the Ghost, and the Cattanooga Cat Show. When the Super Saturday Morning Cartoon Club was launched, Uncle Gene helped me join (this was before laptops and online applications so we had to write a letter and mail it.) so that I could become an official member with my own button, stickers, and poster. We were loyal to ABC, but also watched Scooby-Doo, Where Are You and The Jetsons on CBS. You might even say that Uncle Gene and I recognized early the importance of the NASA program and space travel. In return for watching cartoons with me, I would watch basketball games with Uncle Gene. We would watch New York Knick games snacking on Drake’s Devil Dogs. Uncle Gene would explain the rules and scoring system. It was the start of my appreciation of sports and being loyal to a team. Fond memories from one of his nieces that I wanted to share and a blast from the past – think late 1960s! Rest in peace Uncle Gene.
You’re in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Uncle Gene.
Imagine my surprise when a beautiful baby boy arrived at our house in Brooklyn in November of 1949! At the age of seven, I had no idea that there was to a be an additional sibling. After all, we already were a family of 10 children. Gene was my seventh brother and I always loved him, sometimes in a motherly way. He was often referred to as “Baby Gene” by the family and we all hovered over him protectively. Eugene was named after the pope Eugenio Pacelli, Pope Pius XII. Always well behaved, Gene lived up to his connection to piety. At Sacred Hearts-St. Stephens Elementary School, Gene, a good student, had many of the same nuns/teachers who taught myself and my brother Bill and who constantly urged him to excel as did we. Like all my brothers, Gene was accepted into prestigious Brooklyn Technical HighSchool, an elite school in New York only for boys. During my senior year at college, I taught at Brooklyn Tech as a student teacher. Whenever Gene and I passed in the halls, he strove to avoid my gaze so he could ignore my presence. Gene succeeded at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and in his subsequent employment opportunities. He was always competent, kind and interested in the welfare of others. I will miss Gene’s love, his sense of humor and his quiet laugh. I know his love for others, especially to his family, his beautiful children, Mark and Laura, was silent, but deep. Gene’s last years were difficult ones and I hope he has found the peace he deserves. He will always live in my heart.
Dear Sue, You are in our hearts and thoughts at this very difficult time. We hope you hold onto the wonderful memories you and Gene shared together and hope they will bring you peace and comfort forever. Love, Stephen, Mary, Lexi and Arianna Dolan
We’re going to miss you Gene. RIP. Stay strong Sue.
I remember your visits to my kindergarten class. You were introduced to the students as Mr. Balsamo, an uncle to my children. After several weeks of helping in the classroom, you surprised us with an unplanned visit. I asked the students if they remembered who you were. After a brief pause a student yelled out, “UNCLE BALSAMO”! And that’s who you were the rest of the school year. Even strangers wanted to be in your family. RIP UNCLE BALSAMO
Follow link to video slideshow of Gene’s life: https://youtu.be/hArlpscJZu0
We miss you uncle Gene! Always so much fun to be around and generous to everyone. May your soul be glorified with God!
We love and miss you Uncle Gene. We always know UGLY forever.
To know Gene is to love Gene. RIP Gene. Condolences Sue, love and support always.
Gene, thank you for being my brother, mentor, and friend. I love you buddy.
Marana Mortuary & Cemetery
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.