Joseph John Balusik was born in Kane City Pennsylvania on February 19th, 1915 to John and Kristina Balusik. John and Kristina were staunch Slovaks both hailing from the old country of Slovakia. Joseph liked to think of himself when a youngster as a practical joker and often caused his teacher fits along with his sister Anne. Joseph had a great memory and could remember things by heart whereas his sister had to really memorize and study (all of this he said). He once was even responsible for throwing spitballs at the teacher and putting a tack on her chair. He and his sister lived on a farm which was a great distance away from the school and literally had to walk 5 miles every day (getting into mischief along the way). However when the Great Depression came he had to leave the 6th grade and get a job. When Joseph became older his family moved to Saginaw where Joseph was employed and was even a fire chief for an airforce base. They eventually moved to Rossford where Joseph would later settle his family and make his home. I remember him telling me that when he met my grandmother (Mary Halada Balusik) she was working as a waitress in a bar. He had a band and would play at different bars and nite clubs and it was on this day that he and his band were practicing. When Mary brought up some drinks, he gave her a hard time but then asked her out. They eventually got married and soon had a son Joseph II. 7 years later Marylyn would come and another 7 years later Richard.
Joseph used to have an automechanics garage (which was located on Reynolds Rd in Toledo) and also a bar on Main Street in Toledo called The Paris Nite Club where he had many regulars. (The bar is still there!) He had a racing team (the car was called the "Flying J") and of course a band where he played accordian. Joseph was a wonderful musician having taught himself the accordian and organ. Many of us recall sitting and just listening to him play...he was marvelous! Since his family started to grow Joseph and Mary sold their beloved Paris Nite Club and moved to Rossford where Joseph had a home built. On holidays the Balusiks would have shin-digs where everyone would come and eat, drink, play lawn darts and listen to Joseph play. Unfortunately however Joseph had a bad heart and was told by his doctors to move south. Heeding doctor's advice Joe and Mary sold their home in the colony and moved to Altha, Florida, close to Mary's brother Casper. There they owned a mobile home, chickens, ducks, bunnies and a rooster. Many of us family members would go and stay for it was not too far from the beaches of Panama City. He and Mary would often take Sunday drives into the city where grab bags of donuts were the favorite treat until the IGA caught fire. He would at home then eat his donuts with his ever present tea (2 spoonfuls of sugar..) During his stay in Florida, Joseph faced prostate cancer (he beat it twice) and quite a few heart attacks but Mary was always there for him. Unfortunately when Mary came down with cancer in 1999 there was nothing he could do. The family went and retrieved Mary so that she could be at peace at home. After her death, Joseph was never the same however he still had his strong opinions (especially about the government), his great sense of humor and his accordian. Between staying at his son's home in Rossford and his daughters home in Northwood Joseph would drive himself back and forth to Florida to tend to his home there.
When in town I would visit him every other day (sometimes every day) and we would play solitaire, do puzzles, look at old pictures, go to flea markets, drink cappucinos (until he was told to give them up) and watch Sanford & Son and the Honeymooners. We also used to see who could get the answer first on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. One time we even went to the German American festival...I think he had a secret motive for he ate two brats, drank beer and listened to polka. When I yelled at him that he knew grandma would not let him do that he said " You only live once..So I am gonna eat what I want." We then took to the beer tent for it started to rain...we got soaking wet but that was ok with him...it allowed him to get another "brewski." Joseph passed away at his daughters home after suffering from a long battle with emphysema. Now he could happily be with his wife.
Many things can be said about my grandpa but only a handful of words can describe him..determined, funny, opinionated, good-hearted, strict (but only with his children) could fix anything, smart and a good story teller. This is how we all remember him and that is how it should be. We all miss him (especially me)for there truly will never be anyone like him. -Kristin