samuel ballato
Samuel Francis Ballato, 86, of Weirton, WV, died Monday, December 25, 2017, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Aspinwall, PA. Born on August 5, 1931, on Avenue A in Weirton, WV, Sam was a son of the late Giuseppe and Rosa Napoli Ballato. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ross and Frank Ballato, and his five sisters, Nancy J. Yakunich, Virginia Ballato, Mary Sweda, Sarah Warzynski and Rose Buelich. An All-State lineman from Weir High School, Sam graduated and continued his education at Glenview State College, where he was an All-American lineman, and a prospect of the NFL Cleveland Browns. His football career took a turn when he was drafted into the United States Army. Sam fought for his country during the Korean War receiving three purple hearts and a bronze star for his heroism and injuries he sustained in the Battles of Pork Chop Hill and Old Baldy. On one occasion he laid severely wounded in a rice paddy field for 19 hours before he was air lifted to medical care. In 1952 he met the love of his life, Norita May Wright, the two were married and had five children, seven grandchildren, and a great granddaughter . After returning home from the war, Sam worked as a postman and eventually became an insurance man with Western-Southern selling millions of dollars of insurance over his 25-year career. He was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Weirton, a founding member of the Oakland District Fire Department and was the Commander for over 20 years of the local chapter of the Purple Heart Recipients. Family and friends will always remember Sam for the love he had for his fellow veterans. Sam is survived by his wife, Norita May Wright Ballato; his daughter, Rebecca Ann Fuscardo (Chunky) all of Weirton, WV; his four sons, Sammy J. Ballato of Altoona, Pa, Christopher A. Ballato (Chicky) of Wellsburg, WV, Nicholas J. Ballato of Follansbee, WV, and Anthony Ballato (Tammy) of Waverly, Va; seven grandchildren, Greg, Nathan, Nicole, and Tommy Ballato, Gaetano, Abriana, and Gia Fuscardo; and a great-granddaughter, Scarlet Ballato. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Thursday at the Greco - Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM Friday, at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Weirton. Rev. Fr. Dennis R. Schuelkens, Jr. will preside. Interment will follow with military honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans. DAV/Org/donate Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com

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  1. Nick & Becky, Torri & I are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family, especially your Mom.

  2. To my colledge family. 1984
    My d♡d you took me in on weekends school vacations . And pertected me as one of your own
    I was thankful for you.
    Sam
    Better know to me as mr. Mom, a softy. loving sentimental , carring man.
    As you enter all the steps to heaven greeted by your dearest passed loved ones . Let them know your on the top stair. a hero never forgotten..
    Who deserves top shelf. Till we meet again.
    To the ballatto family. (Becky) prayers and peace.

  3. May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
    May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,

    May your memories of Samuel Francis Ballato, give you peace, comfort and strength…

    Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
    I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten..
    My thoughts
    and prayers to the family of ….

    US Army Veteran, Samuel Francis Ballato, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†

    † Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †

  4. We are so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing and wish we could have been there to express our condolences. We want you to know that you have our deepest sympathy and we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
    Michael and Kathy Ballato


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