George Edward Balko's Obituary
George Edward Balko, age 77, of Fort Myers, Florida and formerly of Lorain passed away on December 10, 2020 at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida after a short illness with his companion Darlene Yuhasz , and his children, Steve and Jennifer, and his brother Dan by his side.
He was born on December 31, 1942 in Lorain, Ohio to Joseph and Pauline (nee Hoy) Balko. George was a 1961 graduate of Lorain St. Mary’s High School and went on to further his education at Kent State University where he was a member of their football team.
George served his country for 7 years as a Lieutenant with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. During his time with the US Navy, he was a Naval Aviator.
Upon his honorable discharge he flew as a pilot for Northwest Airlines. He owned and operated a Marina and Restaurant in Warrenton, Oregon for 5 years and then moved back to Ohio and began working for his brother at A-1 Welding & Fabrication Inc., in Lorain, Ohio for 7 years. He then made the decision to move to Cape Cod, Massachusetts working as an independent contractor and homebuilder for 15 years. In 1989 he made his final move to Fort Myers, Florida and continued his work as a contractor, retiring in 2004.
George was an avid fisherman and boater, he lived in a waterfront community in Fort Myers, Florida. He loved traveling and going on cruises and was a member of a senior group that went on several monthly trips until the COVID -19 Pandemic started. George was also and avid Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns fan.
George is survived by his children,Jennifer Rodgers, of Warrenton, Oregon, Michelle (Corey) Osburn, Warrenton, Oregon, and Steve (Tomoko) Balko, of Chula Vista, California; grandchildren, Erica, Emily, Kiley, and Tyler Balko, and Ben and Brad Rodgers; great-grandsons, Hunter and Ryder Rodgers; brother, Dan (Sandy) Balko; 2 nephews; 1 niece; and his companion of 20 years, Darlene Yuhasz; and his close friends of over 50 years, Mary Ann and Dale Hoffman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Pauline Balko. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, Ohio 44001.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst, Ohio. Rev. Father Timothy O’Connor, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, Ohio. Please note that facial mask are required at Mass and social distancing will be required.
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