Steve Balasco, owner of Balasco’s Pizzeria and a well-known and respected member of the Warren community, died on Dec. 24, 2021 after a more than weeklong fight with COVID-19. He was 61 years old.

“As you likely have heard, our beloved father, husband, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, painter, and pizza aficionado, Steve Balasco, passed away on Christmas Eve,” reads a post from the Balasco Strong Facebook support group, which was started when Balasco was hospitalized earlier this month. “Our family is heartbroken, but humbled by the outpouring of love and support we have received. Steve was a giant in our community, always working with his wife Michaela to put others first. He leaves big shoes to fill. And that’s, again, where we all come in. While Steve has passed, the #BalascoStrong campaign has just begun and we implore you to continue to challenge yourself to spread kindness and love in his name. The void he leaves us is big, but his memory and legacy lives on in all of us. Thank you for your continued support and love — The Balasco Family.”

Town Councilman Joseph DePasquale, a longtime friend of Balasco, shared his feelings on his Facebook page.

“Steve Balasco loved his mother, father, brothers, aunts, uncles, wife and children. His family was his everything and he shared them with me and his many friends,” he wrote. “He was my friend for 40 years and I will miss him. I loved him and he loved me. He worked as hard as he played. We cooked and fed people. We weren’t happy if you weren’t eating. He was the underdog, breaking those leg braces of childhood and playing sports like his life depended on it. He would have my back no matter what, I won’t have a friend like him ever again. This loss hurts.”

Known for his charitable endeavors and willingness to help others in the community, whether through the donation of time, resources or money, Balasco’s giving nature has continued on despite his passing. Through the Balasco Strong Facebook page, the group began an effort called the Balasco Strong Campaign, which seeks to create a chain reaction of good deeds through the passing out of kindness cards, marked with the words: “#BalascoStrong, spread kindness and love. You’ve received an act of kindness, pay it forward and pass this card along.” The cards are available at numerous local businesses including Delekta Pharmacy, Rod's Grille, Cafe Water Street, East Bay Printing and Copying, Market Street Pub & Grill, and Balasco's Pizzeria.

During his stay in the hospital, a GoFundMe to support the Balasco family nearly doubled its $15,000 goal as of press time, accruing $27,965 as of Monday morning from 318 donors.

The Market Street Pub, of which co-owner Amy Davok started the GoFundMe campaign, also shared thoughts on their Facebook page.

“We have waited to say something because how do you put into words what Steve Balasco means to you? The news keeps calling and asking the same thing. There is no description — it’s a feeling. A feeling of friendship, love and completeness. A feeling of wholesome family. A camaraderie, a confidant, a shoulder to lean on. As I drove by Highlander Charter School this morning, their sign said, “Be generous with your time.” I thought, if that didn’t describe Basco then I don’t know what will! Generous with everything he did in this lifetime that was cut way too short. We love you so much and you will always be a part of us. Your legacy will last forever. We will make sure of that! You created this beautiful masterpiece of a family. You gave this community your all. Rest peacefully our dear friend.”