Spart Balzano

Spart Balzano, 84, Phoenix, AZ, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away unexpectedly on May 24, 2008 of cardiac failure. He was surrounded in love by family and friends. Spart was born in Boca Italy, August 10, 1923 to Giovanni Ireneo Balzano and Serafine Carolina Sartore Balzano. Spart immigrated to the US in 1933 aboard the Conte de Savoia with his Grandmother through Ellis Island. He joined his parents in San Francisco, CA and graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, CA. Spart spent his youth working in the family restaurant located in downtown San Francisco. At the age of 22, Spart enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Berma during WWII. Spart was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and supported the building of bridges during the war. Later, Spart volunteered for bomb demolition duty in Berma, dismantling enemy bombs and undoubtedly saving thousands of soldiers lives. Upon returning to Redwood City, CA after the war, Spart attended San Jose College to study architecture and art. Spart later moved to Sparks, NV to manage the family business, the Hotel Mirador in Reno, NV. Spart moved his family to Phoenix, AZ in 1966 and settled in the North Sunnyslope neighborhood. Spart spent countless hours coaching children's soccer. He enjoyed working in the yard and his gardens and was an avid world traveler, most recently traveling to Africa on safari with his wife. Spart retired in 1988 after a successful career with AT&T - Lucent Technologies. Spart was proceded in death by his father and mother and his first wife, Wilberta. Spart is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Gloria; his daughters Carolyn Meza of Phoenix and Cheryl Azevedo of Cedarville, CA and his five sons; Michael and Marco of Phoenix, AZ; Mario of Clifton, NJ; Steven Howder of Forest Hill, CA; and Dan Howder of Elk Grove, CA. In addition, Spart is survived by thirteen wonderful grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ; Viewing from 10:00am - 12:00pm and Funeral Services at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 followed by interment at the Greenwood Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the AMVETS National Service Foundation 1-800-810-7148.