José Ignacio “Perry” Gómez-Balbontín, 42, of Bellingham, passed away peacefully at home, among his family, fiancé, and friends, on April 9th, from pancreatic cancer.
Perry was born December 27, 1968 in Santiago, Chile, the son of Ruth Balbontín Pineo and Alfonso Gómez-Raurich. He was the youngest of 4 siblings.
He graduated from Fort Defiance High School of Fort Defiance, Virginia and attended Blue Ridge College of Weyers Cave, Virginia.
He was employed as a Sales Manager for Coca-Cola Enterprises where Perry took pride in his work and appreciated his daily interactions with all his colleagues and customers.
Perry loved tennis, soccer, and spending his free time making wonderful memories with his children. Perry was a major fan of the Boston Red Sox.
He is survived by his three children; Andrew, Philip, and Stephanie of Bellingham, fiancée Tracey Ward of Bellingham, parents Ruth Balbontín Pineo of Charlottesville, Virginia and Alfonso Gómez-Raurich of Santiago, Chile, stepfather George Pineo of Charlottesville, Virginia, grandmother “Tatita”, brother Cristián Gómez-Balbontín of Key Biscayne, Florida, sister Isabel “Catia” McCusker and husband Thomas McCusker of Franklin, sister Macarena Gómez Restrepo of Key Biscayne, Florida, stepsiblings, María Alejandra, Paula, Alfonso Gómez Jr, and nieces and nephews: Camila, Nikki and Ethan McCusker, Isabella Restrepo, Nicholas and Alexandra Balbontín.
Perry’s kids meant the world to him and his eyes smiled in their presence. Perry was confident that he laid the foundation for his children to succeed. Proud of his family, he left this world confident that his children would continue to grow, develop and blossom to maturity. His greatest regret was that he would no longer walk with them on this journey, but he found comfort knowing that his spirit would live in their hearts forever. His loving fiancée, Tracey, remained at his side through sickness and health, and she ensured that he was well cared for and loved. After three years living with cancer, Perry’s journey on earth finally ended. Perry will be truly missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday April 12 in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main St. in Franklin from 5 - 8 p.m.
Services and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Perry Gomez Balbontin Children’s Education Fund c/o Dean Bank, P.O. Box 307, Franklin, MA 02038.