Oneonta Loses Well-Known Native Wayne Balnis Jr.

Oneonta has lost a long-standing and contributing member of its community. OHS graduate Wayne J. Balnis Jr. died unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 16 due to heart complications at the age of 59.

According to AllOTSEGO, Wayne is survived by his wife Carla, whom he was married to for 28 years, along with his son Joseph Michael Balnis and daughter-in-law, Catie Vincent Balnis, of Delmar; daughter Caryn Rachel Balnis and spouse, Christopher Sloan, of Morris. He also leaves behind two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sherry and Brian Pidgeon and Laurie and Stephen Page.

There's no doubt that Wayne was very devoted to his family and will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.

It is the wishes of the family that donations are made to Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans, 697 Winney Hill Road, Oneonta, NY 13820, www.superheroesirj.org.

There will be no calling hours or services at this time. A celebration of life will be planned when the world becomes a little less “crazy”.

At Wayne’s wishes, he will be cremated with arrangements handled by Oneonta’s only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.

For more on this story provided in partnership with AllOTSEGO, click here.