It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Eric Ballentine on January 1, 2023 after an extended battle with paralysis.
Eric was born on October 12, 1969 in
Syracuse, New York to Robert and Patricia Ballentine. Eric lived with his parents in New York until they moved to
Trumbull, Connecticut in 1982. Eric quickly adjusted to a new school - he became a proud member of the Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band as a saxophone player and made many friends whom he continued to keep in touch with and cherish over the years. Unbeknownst to Eric, while in high school, he walked the halls with someone who would later become his lifelong partner and wife. Eric attended UMass Amherst and was a member of the Minuteman Marching Band. In 1992 Eric met the love of his life, Danielle (Bianco). Eric and Danielle married in 1996. Their marriage was one of true love, happiness and mutual devotion, a true partnership in every respect. They could often be found on a Saturday night dancing to 80's covers performed by their favorite local bands.
Eric spent the majority of his career at Instinet and UBS in Information Technology, and was respected and admired by his colleagues and bosses alike. However, Eric's greatest achievement and priority was his family. Eric truly enjoyed being Danielle's husband and Julia and Robbie's father. His happiest moments were their nightly family dinners, spending time with Robbie in cub scouts, watching Julia perform in herdance recitals, on the sidelines of Julia and Robbie's soccer games, sitting on the couch with them cheering on his beloved Giants and truly admiring the young woman and young man that Julia and Robbie were becoming. You would be hard pressed to find a happier, prouder father.
Not surprisingly, most of Eric's friends from the community were linked to his children and his wife Danielle. His unassuming, kind personality and hishumor quickly drew people in. There was nothing Eric wouldn't do for a friend. He will be sorely missed by all that he touched.
Eric is survived by his wife, Danielle and his children, Julia (22) and Robbie (18); his in-laws, Tom and Eileen Bianco of
Trumbull, Connecticut, his sister-in-law Nicole (Tony) Berry, of
Elk Grove, California, his brother Steve (Donna) Ballentine of
Valrico, Florida, his step siblings, Sherry Ballentine of
Brookville, Pennsylvania, Bob Ballentine (Cindy) of Longs, South Carolina, Sue Ford of
Smyrna, Tennessee, Brenda Leuwerke (Randy) of
Eldridge, Missouri and his aunt, Nancy Ballentine of
Brookville, Pennsylvania. Eric is predeceased by his parents Robert and Patricia Ballentine and several aunts and uncles.
The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, January 8th from 3-6pm at Raymond Funeral Home (5 East Wall Street,
Norwalk, Connecticut). A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, at 10am at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church (229 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut), followed by committal at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Putnam Valley, New York.
To leave an online condolence, please visit the Raymond Funeral Home website at norwalkfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (ChristopherReeve.org/donate) or the
Alzheimer's Association (alz.org/donate).