Joseph C. Balkey

Joseph C. Balkey
Age 92, of Indiana Twp., on Monday, July 1, 2013, he was born December 19, 1920 to the late Joseph Henry and Mary Mueller Balkey. Mr. Balkey was the beloved husband for 43 years of the late Marie Michalka Balkey; father of Joseph Balkey (Ann) of Charleston WV, Kenneth Balkey (Ruth Anne) of Churchill, and David Balkey (Kathleen) of Butler; adored grandfather of Karen Mancusi (Michael) of Longmont CO, Keith Balkey (Jennifer) of Wilkins Twp., Raymond and Ellen Balkey; very proud great-grandfather of Lucas and Max Balkey and Nina Mancusi; brother of Audrey Lemme (Nicholas) of Monroeville and the late Elizabeth Reddinger, John "Jack" Balkey , Mildred Celender, Paul Balkey and Clyde Balkey; also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Dear friend and companion of more than 20 years of Elvie Glover.
Joe manufactured parts for Westinghouse Gearmotors for 63 years and beginning January 1941 he worked at Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company's Nuttall Works in Lawrenceville. When the plant closed in 1960, he formed his own company, Joseph C. Balkey Sales which he ran for 43 years. He was well known for solving breakdown issues for a range of customers including the Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh Asphalt Co and many businesses in the Pittsburgh region. He also supplied parts to the US Navy and other industrial clients throughout the US and beyond. His last job was making unique gear parts for the New York State Canal in 2004 at the age of 83. He and his wife, Marie were very proud of their 3 sons who each graduated from North Catholic High School, attained advanced engineering degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, and today are successful engineers serving the chemical, nuclear power and steel industries. He enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a regular visitor at the Wheeling Downs Racetrack for many years. He deeply appreciated the help of many compassionate caregivers in his advanced years, particularly by Home Instead Senior Care, Vincentian Home and Bethany Hospice. He will be sorely missed by many loving family members and friends.
Celebrate Mr. Balkey's life with his family on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 923 Saxonburg Blvd at Rt. 8, Shaler Twp. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Glenshaw on Saturday at 10AM. Family respectfully suggests donations be made to Vincentian Charitable Foundation, 8520 Babcock Blvd. Pittsburgh PA 15237 or Bethany Hospice, Six Parkway Center, Suite 100, 875 Greentree Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15220.