Lawrence Balka Jr.

Lawrence J Balka, Jr. passed into the arms of our Lord on December 29, 2022, surrounded by the family he so dearly loved. He was 71. Larry was born and raised in Carteret, NJ, and graduated from Carteret High School in 1969. He was a star athlete playing fullback and was an NJ State hurdler champion attending the Junior Olympics in Eugene, OR in 1968. He went on to win a football scholarship to Memphis State University and transferred to Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where he graduated with a Business degree in 1973. In 2009, he was inducted into the Carteret High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments.
Larry worked as an outside sales representative for Tulnoy Lumber for forty-five years, gaining his co-workers' and customers' respect. He met his wife, Jayne, in 1979, and it was love at first sight. They were soulmates and best friends, and they were married in 1983 at St. Rose Church in Belmar, NJ, and went on to build their cherished life together. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in May. Larry moved his family to Wall, NJ, in 1994 and remained there before moving to Lake Como, NJ, this past June. As his daughters came of age, he became a fixture in North Wall as a coach of both softball and rec. soccer and always brought out the best in his players. He always believed that every one of us had potential if given the right motivation.
As much as he was celebrated as an athlete, he most cherished the role of husband, father, and grandfather. He was a humble, kind soul that touched the lives of so many. He always found time to help someone in need no matter the circumstances, never expecting anything in return. He enjoyed time spent with his childhood friends and fellow football players at breakfast on Saturday mornings, reminiscing about times that passed. His barbecued ribs were renowned, and he never passed on a chicken paprikash dish his wife made with love. His sense of humor was always on display to turn a gloomy situation into a positive event. His favorite sentiment was, "Everything will be fine, Jayne," and most of the time, it was. He always considered his life's greatest accomplishment to be his daughters Kaitlin and Jennifer, and he was always there to give advice, support, and guidance. You were truly blessed if you were lucky enough to have Larry as your friend. His physical being may have left us, but his soul will be with us forever, giving us guidance, support, and everlasting love. Sweetheart, daddy, and grandpa, you will be forever in our hearts, for your bright light will never dim as you were always our guiding light. You will always be the wind beneath our wings!
Larry was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence Balka Sr and Rosaria (Pagano) Balka. He is survived by his beloved wife Jayne (Chiaravallo) Balka, daughters Kaitlin Watson and husband Jon, Jennifer Campbell and husband Christopher, grandsons Miles and Chase, his beloved mother-in-law Janet Chiaravallo, sister Judith Wood and husband Robert, brothers-in-law Anthony Chiaravallo and wife Deborah, Laurence Chiaravallo and wife Elena, and nieces and nephews that all loved him dearly.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation Friday, January 6, 2023, at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road in Manasquan, NJ, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023, at St. Catharine's Church in Spring Lake at 10:30 AM. Entombment will follow at St Anne Cemetery, Wall, NJ. Instead of flowers, please donate in his name to the Salvation Army at give.salvationarmyusa.org. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.