Matthew Balano

1968 - 2023

Matthew Balano
February 7, 1968 - October 16, 2023
Matthew T. Balano, dedicated father, respected educator, and life long Warriors fan passed away, at UCLA Hospital in Santa Monica from esophageal cancer. Born in San Francisco and raised in San Anselmo Calif. He enjoyed a life filled with love, sports, comic books, action figures and making mischief with his siblings. His school years began at Brookside, then St. Anselm School, and finally Sir Francis Drake High School, graduating in 1986. Matt continued his education at UC Santa Cruz, earning a degree in English. Matthew also taught ESL in South Korea and Spain before accepting a position at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco. While at SI, Matthew taught English Literature and worked toward three goals - diversity, equity and inclusion, becoming the first Director of Diversity and Inclusion at SI. After 12+ years at SI, Matthew moved on to become the DEI Director, Assistant Dean of Students, and an English teacher at The Thacher School in Ojai, Calif. After five years, he moved on to The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. as DEI Director where he again made many impactful contributions. Matthew served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, human rights commissions, and as National Chair of the Jesuit Schools Network Diversity Directors.
Matthew is survived by his wife, Donna Bullock Balano; his son, Marcus (ex-wife Alicia Saura); his mother, Sharlyne; siblings, Daria Carrillo, Lorna (John Cunningham), Aaron (Alison Balano), and Miles. His niece, Hope Carrillo; nephews, Nathan, Joseph, Louis Balano, and Ezekiel Cunningham. He is also survived by Donna's family - Myles Bullock (Jama Ingram and grandson Jett), Dillon Lynch, David Lynch, and Liv Long. Matthew accumulated an impressive list of lifelong friends, many of whom formed a strong network of love and support during his last months of his life. A celebration of Matthew's life will take place December 16, 2023 at St. Anslem Church in Ross, Calif. at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the Deer Park Villa in Fairfax, Calif.