Lt. Col. John J. Balsama, USAF (ret), of Woburn, formerly of Lexington and Medford died Tuesday at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center. He was 87.
Mr. Balsama was born in the Waverly section of Belmont, the son of the late Santo and the late Rose (Falolare) Balsama. After high school John embarked on a 23 year career with the military. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. He then enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his service he was stationed at Air Force installations throughout North America and retired as a Lt. Colonel. Upon his retirement, he earned a bachelor degree from Northeastern University and an MBA at Babson. He worked as a hospital administrator at Children’s Hospital, Boston and at the Clinton Hospital in Worcester.
He was the beloved husband of the late Aida (Scaramella).He was the devoted father of Christine Balsama and her husband Barney Berman of Bethel, CT. He was the dear brother of the late Mary, Anna, Vena, Victoria, and Anthony “Nino” Balsama.
A Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Saturday October 8 at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday 7 - 9 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Old Iron Ore Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002.