Robert Balestier

Robert “Bob” Elliot Balestier, 88 of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Uniontown Hospital after a brief illness.

Bob was born January 5, 1935, in the Bronx, New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elliot and Mabel (Fleming) Balestier; his siblings, Lois (Balestier) Cuffe and Jackson Balestier; and his daughter, Alicia (Balestier) DeNooyer.

Bob is survived by five children and their families: Suzanne (Balestier) Kaselow, husband Fred Kaselow, and Jocelyn, Will, and Camille; Tom Balestier; Lorraine (Balestier) Hurley, husband Peter Hurley, and Ben, Naomi, and Heather; grandson, Dylan DeNooyer; Danielle (Balestier) Staunton, husband Kevin Staunton, and Harper and Cale; and Courtney Balestier.

He grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, and was a graduate of Lehigh University. He had a long and varied career, working in marketing and running several small businesses. Bob lived all over the country, with stops in New York, Connecticut, California, West Virginia, New Mexico, and Colorado. While living in Uniontown, he helped care for his youngest daughter’s maternal grandmother, Mary Hidock, in her later years. Bob was a voracious reader and especially loved The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. Meeting Joe DiMaggio was one of the high points of his life. He was also quite the conversationalist, regaling friends new and old with his favorite stories. Bob fell in love with big band music when he was young and always appreciated a good brass section. Chuck Mangione could often be heard on his turntable.

Friends and family will be received at Vander Plaat Colonial Home in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

A burial service will follow Friday morning at 11 a.m., in Brookside Cemetery in Englewood, New Jersey.

In accordance with his wishes, Bob’s ashes will be interred alongside his parents. The family also thanks Terravecchia-Haky Home for Funerals, Inc., 71 Pennsylvania Ave., Uniontown PA 15401, for their assistance and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the Uniontown Public Library, of which he was an active and enthusiastic patron.

If you wish to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.terravecchiahakyfh.com.