James Leslie Balogh

It is with sadness we announce that James (Jim) Balogh passed away peacefully in the presence of all his family on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at the age of 91 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Laura Pederson and her son, Oscar (BJ), Carol Balogh (Keith Halsey), Donna Yanicki, (Steve Yanicki), and children Riley and Kaitlin (Katie), Robert (Bob) Balogh (Janice Ross).

He will also be lovingly remembered by his sister, Joyce Agostino of Toronto and nephew, Fletcher Agostino (Jenny) and their children, James and Adriana of Edmonton; brother, Roy Balogh of Toronto, and nephew, Robert Judd (Amanda) and their son, Graham of Barrie, Ontario.

Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Helen (Pohribny) Balogh; his mom, Margaret Balogh; and his sisters, Val Balogh and Linda Judd.

Jim was born in Winnipeg. He spent his early years in Toronto with his mom, sisters, Joyce, Val and Linda and brother, Roy. He met Helen on a blind date set up by his sister Linda and Helen’s sister, Liz. They married on May 19, 1962, and soon after headed West to Calgary to start their new life together.

In Calgary, Jim worked hard to support his growing family, taking on various jobs including as a Fuller Brush salesman. Days after the birth of their first child, Laura, Jim landed a job with Chevron Canada. Jim went to night school and took accounting classes, and for a few years, he provided bookkeeping services to small businesses to bring in extra income to purchase a house.

Jim thrived throughout his 30 year career at Chevron, particularly in the tax department, where his cost-saving initiatives earned him multiple President’s awards. He also was a part of the Stanco Club, a Chevron social committee, eventually serving as President and receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership. We remember fondly the Christmas Parties with Santa and the Bowness Park picnics that Dad would bring us to.

Jim knew everyone and everyone knew Jim. He always had a smile and a hello for people he met and had a great sense of humor. He made friends easily, and he stayed in touch with many over the years.

Jim was a provider. He loved his family. Together with Helen, he spent countless hours raising his kids in Lincoln Park, Calgary, where they lived for over 30 years. He was dedicated to his family– flooding backyard ice rinks, organizing tobogganing outings, camping trips and more. He was a handyman, building a deck and a garage, and fitting out the downstairs of the house to accommodate his growing family.

Jim enjoyed watching sports. He played baseball, bowled, curled, played football, biked and did Sunday family swims with his kids. He loved a good game of cards. Sunday evenings were game nights for all to play rummoli, euchre, crib or monopoly, etc.

Jim was always very proud of his kids and watched them graduate and go on to higher education, get married and have families of their own. He loved his grandkids and was pleased to be able to take all of them to Disneyland in 2008, reliving the memories of his first trip to Disneyland with his own kids. Jim and Helen enjoyed travelling in retirement. They eventually moved to the retirement community of Millrise Place, Calgary until Helen passed away in 2011.

In later years, Dad took up residence at Lake Bonavista Village, Calgary. He was always kind and friendly and soon had many new friends. He enjoyed social activities and especially enjoyed going for coffee with his Saturday morning Tim Horton’s group.

Jim’s family would like to thank all the staff at Lake Bonavista Village, who so diligently looked after Dad’s needs each and every day. We extend our thanks to dad’s Doctors, home care support and the extended health teams who helped Jim in his final hours.

Dad is forever in our hearts and loved beyond measure.

Jim’s wish was to have no memorial or funeral service. Memorial donations can be made to the Salvation Army of Calgary, www.salvationarmycalgary.org/donate/donate