David Lee Balbirona

David Lee Balbirona

David Lee Balbirona, age 41, of Lake Stevens, WA, died Thursday, August 19, in a tragic accident on Lake Stevens, WA.
David was born October 15, 1968, in Panorama City, CA to Hugh and Judy Lambert. This marriage was soon dissolved and Judy remarried in 1971 to Jess Balbirona, who later adopted David as his own son. David's parents relocated to Gig Harbor, WA where he graduated from Peninsula High School in 1986. He earned an associate's degree from Pierce College and attended Western Washington University.
David married LeeAnn Hittle on September 2, 1994, at University Presbyterian Church, Seattle WA. He was employed by Microsoft Corporation in the data storage management team and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church of Lake Stevens.
For several summers he worked at CYO youth camps teaching archery. During college, he joined the medieval history re-enactment group, the Society for Creative Anachronism, where he earned a reputation as an enthusiast of archery, crossbows and rapier fencing. He was an excellent woodworker, having learned the skills from his father, Jess, and made his own crossbows, bows and arrows. Later he took up Taekwondo and golf, excelling in both, but his passion for individual achievement in sport really bloomed with rowing, which he took up in June 2009. He was a member of the Lake Stevens Rowing Club and truly enjoyed the camaraderie as well as rowing on beautiful Lake Stevens.
He spent many hours as a volunteer helping to build Holy Cross Catholic Church and was frequently called upon as a handyman or to provide technical support in every community he belonged to. It pleased him greatly to find ways to be of service to others and happily went the extra mile.
David was a devoted husband to his wife, LeeAnn, and a beloved father to their four children: Fiona, Helena, Elspeth and Ewan. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Harding, of Citrus Heights, CA, her husband, Michael, and son, Anthony.
Visitation will be held at Bauer Funeral Chapel Thursday, August 26 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Snohomish, WA, Friday, August 27, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., followed by reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Holy Cross Catholic Church Building Fund.