Navy veteran; devoted to family, nursing career and ministry
Published August 6, 2020
NORTH READING — Deacon Alfred O. Balestracci, 89, of North Reading and formerly of Connecticut, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Marjorie M. (Burdick) Balestracci.
Born in New London, Connecticut, on September 10, 1930, he was the son of the late Alfred and Evelyn (Matthewson) Balestracci.
Al was a graduate of Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut, Class of 1948, and then joined the U.S. Navy, serving four years. He became a Hospital Corpsman and served during the Korean War. After the military, he obtained a Registered Nursing Certificate from Massachusetts General and McLean Hospitals. He later earned a BSN from St. Anselm’s College in New Hampshire and then his master’s degree in Education from Salem State College.
He helped reopen the Butler Health Center in Providence, R.I. Years later he was involved in opening a facility in North Reading for special needs children ages 18 to 20. Some years later, he worked for the North Reading program trying to rehabilitate first offenders out of the Boston Juvenile Court. Then, later, he became the Director of Medical/Nursing Services at Regina Cleri, serving elderly and sick priests. He returned to the state system and became the on-site administrator for the Hogan Regional Center and North Reading J.T. Berry Rehabilitation Center, working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 28 years. Last year, Al was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame for his football career.
Al had been very active at Saint Theresa’s Church in North Reading as a Deacon, performing numerous baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals. He just celebrated his 40th year as a Deacon. He was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, serving as the Grand Knight in 1972.
He was also a member of the Christian Community Service, a member of the V.F.W., a Parish Council member and a member of the Financial Council at Saint Theresa’s Church.
Al played slow pitch softball in the North Reading Men’s Softball League until he was 50 years old and then became an avid golfer. He played in the Hillview Senior Golf League.
He is survived by his loving sons, Victor Balestracci and his wife Jane of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Mark Balestracci of Sebastian, Fla., and his late wife Michele Balestracci, and the late Alfred Balestracci (little Al); his loving daughters, Sheri Rogers and her husband Mark of Webster; Kathy Balestracci of North Reading; and Lisa Kellermen and her husband Rick of Haverhill. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jennifer Payne and her husband Will, Karen Howarth and her husband Jake, Colleen Heselton and her significant other Jorge Solisfraire, Kristina Woods and her husband Bobby, Justin Rogers and his wife Rachel, Stacy Rogers and her fiancé Kiernan O’Neill, Crystal Spaide and her husband Jeff, Ryan Balestracci, and Katie Kellerman as well as 12 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his only sister, Jacquelyn Delaporta.
Al jokingly told people that he was a failure because as a child he wanted to be a priest or a doctor but ended up being a nurse and a deacon. A successful, full life lived well.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rte. 62), North Reading on Friday, August 7 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at the Church Hall on Thursday, August 6 from 2 to 8 p.m. (enter from the rear of Parish Hall). Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Theresa’s Church and the Regina Cleri Residence in Boston. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
