James Michael Balquist

1940 - 2022

James Michael Balquist
1940 – 2022
Resident of Sunnyvale
Jim Balquist passed away on April 14, 2022, at the age of 81. Jim was born in New York City and was the only child of John and Margaret Balquist. At a young age the family moved to Teaneck, New Jersey. Jim attended Teaneck HS and was a member of the National Honor Society. He excelled at all sports, but his passion was wrestling. In 1958 he was named a New Jersey State Wrestling Champion. This passion continued as he attended Columbia University where he was captain of the wrestling team. One of his most proud moments was being on the team that upset favored Cornell to win the 1961 Ivy League Championship. Later that year while at a Columbia dance, Jim met Ann, the love of his life. After Columbia, Jim earned a Ph.D in Organic Chemistry and continued with Post-Doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin. During this time, he also started a family. Jim and Ann married in 1964 with Charlie born in New York, Jim in Wisconsin and John in California.
In 1972 the family moved to Sunnyvale, CA where Jim took a position at Raychem Corporation. He was a Corporate Quality Assurance Manager as well as Chairman of The American Society for Quality Control 1984-85. Jim retired from Raychem in 1999 and finished his career at Dade Behring.
Even with the commitments of school and work, nothing was more important to Jim than his family. He loved being involved with his sons and was a Webelos, Cub Scout, and Indian Guide leader, and true to his nature a soccer coach and President of PAL Soccer. Weekends found Jim encouraging his sons' various teams where he was a very vocal presence. There were numerous family vacations and road trips, and Jim and Ann were fortunate to travel much of the world together.
Jim served on several committees throughout the years at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, the last one participating in the formation of the Social Concerns committee. In his spare time Jim loved painting and gardening (especially cacti and succulents). He had an unabashed affinity for garden gnomes.
Jim is survived by his wife Ann, sons Charlie (Stephanie), Jim (Ann) and John (Amber), and grandchildren Brian, Brett, Emma, Augie, Kyle and Catie. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa, and he will be so very missed.
In honor of Jim donations may be made to Catholic Charities.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday May 14th at 11am at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara


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