Obituary of Joe Balsomo
We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of Joe Balsom on April 17, 2025.
Joe was born May 17, 1951 in St. Catharines. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth (Chris) Avis and Nicole Balsom, whom he loved and cherished dearly; his siblings JoAnne Yale, Michelle McKenna (Sean), Mike (Mishka) and Paula Credico; and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephew; predeceased by his parents Sebastian (Sam) and Mary Balsom, and sister Marianne Sharp.
Joe grew up on the links of Lookout Point Golf and Country Club beside his father Sam, who taught him to play. The 1965 Juvenile Boys Club Champion moved to the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club in 1980, where he took many golfers under his wing as an informal coach and close friend; It seemed he knew every golfer in Niagara. Highlights for Joe were the tournaments in Dunkirk, New York and other locations across Ontario and the USA.
Joe always preferred walking the golf courses he played and on his off-days he loved to take long hikes with his dog Abby.
Shortly after graduating from the St. Catharines Collegiate, Joe began his career in auto sales with Checkpoint Chrysler, then moved to Nemeth Motors before managing used car sales at Henley Honda for more than 25 years. He was still selling cars at Performance Acura. Over 50-plus years in the business he helped multiple generations of families with their automotive needs, becoming not just a salesperson but a special, trusted friend.
Joe loved to cook and was really good at it. Some of his favourite memories were Sunday dinners with his family members. An avid sports fan, he loved the Buffalo Bills, the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Raptors, and watching the Golf Channel..
Joe was charismatic and social. He made friends everywhere he went, thousands of them. He never forgot a name. From his earliest days he loved to be the life of the party. He was full of life and loved to laugh and tell jokes.
Joe’s passing has left a big hole in all of our hearts. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he touched. Special thanks to the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club and its members for their caring and compassion for Joe through the years.
Joe is resting at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St. St. Catharines. Visitation is Wednesday, April 23, 10 am to noon and 2 to 4 pm; funeral follows in the chapel at 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to Therapy Tails Ontario or a charity of your choice.
TO VIEW JOE'S FUNERAL LIVE, PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK:
https://camstreamer.com/redirect/vWq9Ad85zRsnyFigqyp1heT6UCFDWXoXLpQmWVSO