James "Jim" Anthony Ballerano's Obituary
Our dear beloved James Anthony Ballerano, Sr. died peacefully at his home on December 3rd at 5:25a.m. Family members were so very blessed to know Dad’s love for all our lives. Our dear mother, Anne Ballerano, celebrated 72 years of happy marriage with Jim earlier this February.
Dad was predeceased by his brothers Stanley and Anthony Ballerano and his soul brother, Joseph Valenza who he remained close with through boyhood, military service and thereafter. He leaves behind, four grown children: Geraldine Vesey (Jack), James Ballerano (Helen) Chrys Ballerano (Fletch Brightman), Nancy Renfro (Greg), seven grandchildren: Kathryn White (Jordan) Jonathan Ballerano (Amanda), Patricia Tolly (John), Jessalyn Ballerano, Nicole Stinchcomb (Jake), Christopher Ballerano (Monica), Kristin McClellan (Crandall) and five great grandchildren: Danny and Ewan White, James and Patrick Tolly, and Celine Ballerano. Collectively, we share our broken hearts and know the space left behind by his passing will never be filled other than through our many memories and shared recollections of this truly magnificent man.
Born on Nov.25, 1929 in Brooklyn NY, Jim was the middle of three sons to his parents, Geraldine and Anthony Ballerano. As a child he tenderly cared for his mother when she struggled with epileptic seizures, staying home from school to be sure his mother was safe from harm while his father worked. He dropped out of school and joined the Army as a youth and served before and during the Korean War for three years. He and his best pal Joey were so skilled training the newer recruits that his commanding officer repeatedly moved their names to the bottom of the list for overseas transfer; as a result, neither Joe nor Jim saw combat in that war. Jim and Anne began married life in Brooklyn and their first child, Geraldine Ann was born there.
Jim’s love of nature led him and Anne to Warnerville NY in the Catskill mountains in the early 1950s along with Anne’s parents. Here he worked on road construction with Anne’s stepfather who was not just his father in law but also his friend. Jim and Anne had their second child, James Anthony in the nearby town of Cobleskill, in a small hospital. In 1954 the Balleranos moved to one of the first homes constructed on Outlook Avenue in North Babylon; their daughters Christine Ann and Nancy Ann were both born on LI. Jim and Anne lived and worked there until retirement. They were devout parishioners at Our Lady of Grace church in West Babylon and continued to care for Jim’s and Anne’s parents who both settled very close by to the Ballerano residence. Cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews and many friends enjoyed the pigeons raised by Jim in the backyard in Babylon and the swimming pool we splashed in during summers. The Balleranos hosted countless dinners to entertain friends and family both inside and outside their home in their comfortable breezeway. Jim served as a lead computer operator for Fairchild Republic from the 50’s through the closing of that enterprise in 1989. Jim and Anne moved to Largo FL to care for Anne’s mother and stepfather, Frances and James Rera. They inherited the Rera’s home and lived there until Jim’s passing. These are some basic facts about Jim, but please know that there is so much more about who he was in the world.
Jim was truly a rare gem of a man. A kind-hearted, gentle and empathetic lover of life, Jim cared about everyone: people, animals, trees, plants, rocks, garden soil, and living waters. He loved his wife and family more than words can express and loved his Church and all the beloved friends he knew through the community he helped to create and foster there. A celebrated parishioner who served through the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus, Jim was beloved by St Catherine’s Church and in 2004 was named Honoree of the Year for his dedication and service to the parish.
Jim was a master storyteller with no formal training; only humility and joy in the telling for the enjoyment of others. Beginning in the 1950s through the 70s on Christmas Eve, he became Santa Claus for not only his own children but all the kids in the neighborhood. He carried that tradition on for his younger nieces and nephews who lived further east on LI once his own kids were all wise to who was really under that white beard.
Jim was the neighborhood lay veterinarian who people brought sick birds and other creatures to for healing. Many of these he nursed back to health. Others he buried with care and sorrow. He loved all of life but did not fear death. He understood it as part of the cycles of nature and tried to teach us to accept it as well as he did.
Friends describe him this way: “The kindest most loving man I’ve ever known … all my childhood memories are his laughing eyes & teasing smile”
“Jim was a kind and gentle man. He lived a long and grateful life. Jim touched the hearts of a lot of people in his life. We are all better through knowing him. Though this year has been tiresome, Jim pushed forward for Anne and family. Jim and God decided it is time to gather with his loving family and many friends that awaited him on the other side. Sad for us, as we will miss him. And we know in our hearts that he will always be a part of us and that a reunion awaits.
With all that he did, Jim's love of Anne, family, friends, neighbor's, Mother Earth, nature, and God was always the focus. In telling his life stories (of which he had many), he always spoke with such pride of Anne, his children, grandchildren, and the smiles of great-grands. When he spoke of work, it was not the details of him, but of those he worked with and the many that are now his friends.
Family. Church. Knights of Columbus pancake breakfasts. Comfort for those around him. Entertaining stories, jokes and games especially playing cards at home and working the Bingo games his beloved Anne always enjoyed playing. Mucking. Love for birds, turtles, dogs, cats and all creatures of the wilderness. Jim found value in plants and discarded things (wood, screws, rope, barrels, bricks, pipe, etc.) that others did not recognize until the moment it was needed. These are things that define Jim and what made him so dear to us all.
Jim made good use of his life and made our lives fuller and better. We will miss him dearly. We owe him a smile and a Thank You when we meet again.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about Jimmy. I’ll always remember him as being larger than life. As a kid, he always made me feel special every time I saw him. These memories I’ll never forget.”
“He lived such a good life and was so loved. I cherish the memories”
May the birds guide Anne’s “Hon”; our beloved “dooly”, a nickname shared through generations, to his rightful peaceful home with God.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's name to charity of choice.
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