Paul Balsitis

Paul Andrew Balsitis (81), was quickly called to his eternal life of peace in heaven after an unexpected
death at his home in Poplar Grove, IL on the evening of May 20, 2023.  
Paul was born February 15, 1942 to Frank and Marjorie Balsitis in Chicago, IL. He was the oldest of 3
brothers, Richard and Lawrence.
In 1962 a friend introduced him to Diane (Jarvis) and on June 19, 1965, they married.  Paul and Diane’s
loving marriage produced 5 hardworking, jovial children: Andrew [Sara Dunn], Sandra Olsen [Neill], Judith
Smith [Alan], Patricia Webber, and Cynthia Balsitis [Reed].  Paul was blessed with 13 Grandchildren and
4{Great Grandchildren}, Rachel Balsitis {Kameron}, Austin Reed {Kaysen, Asher and Ronan due in
September}, Gavin Olsen [wife Cailey], Kaylyn Webber, Emma Suggent, Dylan Hammond (Dunn), Jim
Webber, Andrew Olsen, Clay Reed, Addison Smith, Liam Smith, Drew Balsitis, and Lexi Balsitis. Paul
loved his many nieces and nephews as well as the great nieces/nephews. Paul instilled that family is the
most important and he was always there to hold a baby.
Paul always made the best of his life especially when faced with challenges early on in life. After he
married Diane, he went back to school to get an associate degree in computers that led him to his job at
Motorola, where he worked for over 35 yrs. 
Paul and Diane lived in Chicago until 1974 when they moved to Lake Marian, IL to be out of the city, and
live near Paul’s job. In 2004 after the kids moved out Paul and Diane, decided to move further northwest
to a quiet gated lake community in Poplar Grove. The home they built was large enough to accommodate
their visiting children and grandchildren, but not too large since they didn’t have kids living at home
anymore to clean it for them. Paul’s love for his family was never left unsaid.
Along with the love he had for his family, Paul always got involved in his community. While in Lake
Marian, Paul was part of the HOA and RCD that tried to protect little Lake Marian. He was a devout
Catholic and served his church. Paul joined St. Monica’s Knights of Columbus and became Grand Knight
and eventually became the State Warden. He also was director of St Monica’s CCD classes. He joined St
James in Belvedere, where he not only served as Grand Knight, but became the president of the
Rockford Chapter. 
After he retired Paul always kept busy. He bought himself a boat for fishing and enjoyed being on
Candlewick Lake with loved ones. He had a few years of delivering papers in Boone County. His most
surprising job, to his own children, was getting his CDL license to be a First Student school bus driver,
which he took very seriously. 
Paul was predeceased by his father, Frank, mother, Marjorie, and his brother Richard. Paul always
committed 100% to everything he did. He was truly devoted to Diane, and he will be greatly missed. 
 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church in Belvidere, IL beginning at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to be made to the family in Paul's name.