Fred Joseph Balester, Jr

Fred Joseph Balester, Jr., 85, of Lathrop Court, Kingston, and Tampa, Fla., died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at the Golden Living Center/Summit, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
He was born Dec. 14, 1923 in Wilkes-Barre, a son of the late Fred J. and Ruth (Watrous) Balester Sr.
Fritz, as he was known by many, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, from December 1941 to March 1945. As a scout in the First Scout Company, First Marine Division, he participated in the first amphibious invasion of the war at Guadalcanal and later served on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. He achieved the rank of Corporal. He met his future wife in Melbourne while on leave.
Upon his return from war, Fritz joined his father and his brother Jim at Fred J. Balester Sons Wholesale Optical Laboratory in Wilkes-Barre. He eventually succeeded his father as president of Balester Optical, a capacity in which he served for over 30 years. He remained active in the business until his retirement in 2002. He was a past Master of the Masonic Temple, past President of the Wyoming Rotary Club and a former member of the Kingston Rotary Club.
During the 1960s and 1970s, he was very active in the Rotary International Student Exchange Program.
Most of all, Fritz was a faithful and loving husband, father, and grandfather who devoted his life to his family and business.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Alison McLeod-Sharpe; brother, James Balester of Kingston; daughters, Heather Balester and her husband, Robert Boerner, of Wilkes-Barre, Valerie Balester and her husband, Spiros Vellas, of College Station, Texas; sons, Jonathan Balester of Shavertown, Matthew Balester and his wife, Michelle, of Clifton Springs, N.Y., Marc Balester and his wife, Elnora, of Austin, Texas; grandsons, David Balester, Keefe Boerner, Isaac Boerner, Maurice Vellas, Christopher Balester, Charles Balester; granddaughters, Alison Vellas, Stephanie Balester; and six nieces and nephews.
Fritz's family would like to thank all the caregivers who were so vital to Fritz's wellbeing during the last two years, especially those from St. Theresa's Residence in Wilkes-Barre, Oakwood Terrace in Moosic, Maxim Healthcare, McClure Comfort Care, Time Out Massage, and Golden Living Center/Summit in Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Piszczek-Desiderio Funeral Home, Inc., 679 Carey Avenue, Hanover Township, with Pastor Robert Morgan of the Cross Valley Assembly of God officiating. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Visitation will be held at the Piszczek-Desiderio Funeral Home, Inc., 679 Carey Avenue, on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. Those who wish to do so may send memorial donations to any of the following: The Salvation Army, 729 Sans Souci Highway, Hanover Township, PA, 18706, St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, 39 East Jackson St., Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701; or the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main St, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 2 2022, 4:43:30 UTC