Samuel J. Balsama

Samuel J. Balsama passed from his loved ones on October 3, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born in Belmont, MA on May 30, 1925, the youngest child of Anna Bella and Anthony Balsama. He is predeceased by brothers, James, Joseph, Vincent and sisters, Mary, Constance, Josephine and Victoria. He is survived by his sister, Anna Fiore. He was a devoted uncle to his nephew, Richard Balsama and his family and many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. Samuel was one of the greatest generation in every sense. He was very proud to have served in the U.S. Army with distinction during World War II. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for his valor. He saw action in many major battles including the beach of Normandy. His unit was part of liberating the prison camps in Germany at the conclusion of the war. He graduated from Massachusetts College of Art after the service and used his considerable talent as an artist in design and display for Bell shops and Zayre Corporation. In 1965, he opened his own business, Balsam’s Card and Gift Centers in Westgate Mall, Brockton. The retail company grew to have a presence in several major malls in New Hampshire and Massachusetts before his retirement in 2005 after forty years in business. Samuel recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday with many family and friends with great joy receiving recognition from the Nashua Police Department for his service and his long-standing membership in the One Hundred Club. His weekly visits to the Vet Center in Hooksett brought him untold pleasure and a circle of comrades that meant a great deal to him. Visiting hours are on Wednesday, October 7th from 5:00-8:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Meadowview Cemetery, Amherst, NH, with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to the Veterans Center, 1461 Hooksett Road B7, Hooksett, NH 03106.