Obituary of Charles Balaza

Charles Balaza Charles Balaza 95 of Yardville passed away December 10, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Balaza was born in Jersey City, NJ. March 7, 1921 and resided in Hamilton most of his life. He was a parishioner of St. Vincent DePaul Church. He entered Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 and enlisted in the US Army in 1940. Stationed in Corregidor in the Philippines at the beginning of WWII he was assigned to 59th Costal Artillery. After the capture of Corregidor, Mr. Balaza was a Prisoner of War for 3 1/2 years in Japan. A recipient of the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart among many other awards. After retirement from the Army in 1962 he was employed by the NJ Turnpike Authority for the next 20 years as a heavy equipment operator, during this time he founded the Continental Chapter of American Ex POW's He helped veterans obtain all benefits owed to them. He lectured children in school on his War Experience. Charlie was known for his generosity and always trying to help those less fortunate. One of his life's proudest accomplishments was when he started Operation Santa Claus to help needy children in post war Germany. Son of the late Joseph & Stephanie Balaza. Brother of the late John, Steven and Sophie. Surviving are his wife of 67 years Marie (DiStaulo) Balaza his children Charles and Norma Balaza of Hamilton Joseph and Carol Balaza of Doylestown, PA Donna and Joseph Scarlata of Yardville Judith and Donald Warner of Groveville his grandchildren Nick and Anthony Scarlata, Jason and Beth Scarlata, Andrea and Tony Briscese, Laura and Dan Vesey, Steven and Cole Warner. Great grandchildren Kiera and Nathan Vesey Brothers and sisters, Edward and Gloria Balaza of Long Island, NY Lucy and Joseph French of Nutly, NJ and Carmella DiStaulo of Jersey City, NJ and Many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday 11:00am at St. Vincent DePaul Church 555 Yardville Allentown Road. Entombment with Military Honors will follow a the Greenwood Mausoleum Relatives and friends may call Wednesday 2:00-4:00 and again 6:00-8:00pm at Knott's Colonial Funeral Home 2946 South Broad St. Hamilton Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN stjude.org