Obituary of Santo Balba

Santo “Sam” Balba, a resident of Burlington for over 50 years, passed away at his home with his family by his side, on Friday, July 2, 2010. The beloved husband of 56 years of Filomena “Phyllis” (Gavallese), he was 78 years old. Sam was born in Boston and grew up in Medford. Sam was a veteran of the Korean War serving his country in the United States Air Force. Sam and his wife Phyllis moved to Burlington in 1954 where they raised their five children. Sam had a successful career as a Typesetter in the Newspaper Industry. He worked for many years at the Malden Evening News. He also worked at a number of newspapers over the years including the Boston Globe. Sam worked part-time for many years at Sears in Burlington which he loved. He started at Sears when the Burlington Mall first opened. Sam had many interests. He enjoyed going to the movies. He enjoyed driving to such places as the beach and camping. When his children where young they took road trips to Walt Disney World in Florida and Washington D.C. Sam and his wife Phyllis took many trips together with Las Vegas being one of his most favorite destinations. They also took a number of cruises together as well as visiting Hawaii. He loved working in his outdoor garden with his specialty being his tomato plants. Sam was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Sam was the beloved husband of 56 years of Filomena “Phyllis” (Gravallese). He was a loving father of Sandra Samson & her husband Harold of Orlando, FL, Michael Balba & his wife Jeri of Billerica, Mark Balba & his wife Christine of Merritt Island, FL, Susan Denning & her husband Stephen of Salem, NH, and Karen Joslyn & her husband John of Lowell. He was the brother of Agnes McLaughlin of West Peabody and Samuel Balba of Tewksbury. Also survived by 14 grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, July 7 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Sam’s name may be made to Visiting Nurse and Community Health, 37 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Arlington, MA 02474.