Umberto "George" Balsamo

Umberto “George” Balsamo, 80, of Enfield, died peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2013, at his home after a courageously fought battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), surrounded by his loving family. Umberto was born on November 12, 1932 in Naples, Italy and has been an Enfield resident for nearly 50 years, though he always held Naples, Italy near and dear to his heart. Umberto had worked at Westvaco, formerly U.S. Envelope, for 18 years and was the owner of Agawam Shoe Repair (Mass.) and George’s Shoe Repair (Enfield). A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Umberto was devoted to his family and his shoe repair business. In addition, his pastimes included the love of his vegetable garden that he looked forward to every year, and walking his little four-legged companion, “Tella.” Umberto is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Matilde (Barba) Balsamo, who never left his side during his battle with ALS; his children, Anna Balsamo and her fiancé, Kerry Harris of Enfield, Guy Balsamo and his wife, Katherine of Suffield, Ester Balsamo of Enfield, and Frank Balsamo and girlfriend Kelly Champagne of Enfield; three wonderful grandchildren who LOVED "Nonno George" tremendously, Isabella Harris, Johnny Balsamo and Juliana Balsamo; two sisters, Ida Pascucci and her husband, Reno of Italy, and Ida De Lucia of Italy; his brother, Francesco Balsamo and his wife, Anna of Italy; three sisters-in-law, Maria, Flora and Teresa Barba of Canada, along with many nieces and nephews locally and in Canada and Italy. Umberto is predeceased by his sisters, Anna Giobbe and Maria Oligino of Italy. Umberto’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, August 30, 2013 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield, CT 06082. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, August 31, 2013 by 9:15 a.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield, CT 06082, for a procession to St. Patrick Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Umberto's family would like to extend a special thanks to his doctor, Dr. Kevin Felice and his team at Hospital for Special Care, as well as his personal nurse, Lisa Spencer and her team at Masonicare Partners. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association of Connecticut, 4 Oxford Rd, Milford, CT 06460 or Hospital for Special Care, 2150 Corbin Ave. New Britain, CT 06053.