SPRINGFIELD – Joseph L. Balboni, Jr., 83, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Monday, December 16, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on March 3, 1930, a beloved son of the late Joseph L. Balboni, Sr. and Marion (Seidell) Balboni. He was raised and schooled in Springfield and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean War and attained the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and was employed for over 30 years and retired in 1991 as a foreman for the Springfield Water Department. He previously worked at the former Union Carbide Company on Pasco Road in Indian Orchard. Active in his faith, he was a longtime communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield. Following the closure of his beloved parish, he became a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in East Springfield. He was a member of the Board of Trustees at the Marconi Club in Springfield, a past Commander and member of the American Legion Post 430 in Springfield and a past Sergeant-at-Arms of the Hampden County American Legion. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving son, James W. Balboni who was Called Home on February 14, 2002; and his dear brother and sister, Daniel A. Balboni and Gladys Balboni. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Theresa M. “Terri” (Conway) Balboni. They were married on May 2, 1953 at the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Stephen J. Balboni and his wife, Cindy, of West Springfield, and Ann-Marie Girard and her husband, Tony, of Springfield; his daughter-in-law, Deb Croteau of Southwick; his seven cherished grandchildren, Michael Balboni and his wife, Kim, US Army Major Mark Balboni and his wife, Jeannette, Nicholas Balboni, Brian Klinakis and his partner, Heidi, and Stephanie, Anthony and McKenzie Girard; his nine cherished great-grandchildren which include five great-grandsons, Dominick, Colin and Danté Balboni, Aiden and Zachary Balboni, and Tristan, Gabriella, Brady and Jack Klinakis; his dear twin brother, John E. Balboni and his wife, Judy, of Mashpee; his dear sister-in-law, Doreen Balboni of Hampden; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended members of the Balboni and Conway families. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, December 23, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, East Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with US Coast Guard Military Honors will follow the Mass at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com