Harry Balzan

Harry Lee Balzan, 97, a resident of Chattanooga since 1947 and Alexian Village since 2003, died June 3, 2017. He was a member of St Peters Episcopal Church most of his life, joining Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church in his later years. A Native of Pennsylvania, he was born on June 27, 1919, to Pietro Balzan and Elizabetta Pilla Balzan. He graduated from Sharon (PA) High School, and attended the University of Alabama where he obtained the bachelor degree in 1943 and master degree in 1947. In World War II, he served in Europe beginning in June 1944 as a G-3 staff officer, initially with Normandy Base Section and subsequently at Reims, Brussels, and Paris. Along with many others he received the Medal of The Jubilee of Liberty from the French Government for service in Normandy from June 6 to Aug. 31, 1944. Following graduate school, he was employed by TVA, principally with the Power Research Staff. Taking early retirement in 1976, he became a consultant to the Electric Power Research Institute and to the U.S. Department of Energy in the fields of advanced methods of electric energy generation and energy storage, including high energy density batteries for utility load-leveling and vehicle propulsion. He was preceded in death by his much loved wife of 59 years, Elizabeth (Ann) Silcox Balzan. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth (Lisa) and husband, Dr. James Harris, Statesboro, Ga.; son, Matthew Lee, of Durham, N.C.; and grandchildren, Matthew, Kelly, and James Lee Harris, and Laine Clark-Balzan and Madeline Balzan and his dear and devoted companion in his final years, Myra Lemon. Those are some of the facts of Harry's life, the way he chose to summarize it. Every word of it is true, but it leaves out so much. A man of very traditional values, Harry was passionate about the ideas he believed in and forceful in his expression of them. He could be harsh and demanding, but no one ever was more deeply devoted to his family. A confirmed bachelor when he began his career, he eventually met his wife, Ann, a TVA coworker, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. From that simple beginning sprang a lifelong relationship to which his children are forever indebted. The only thing he enjoyed more than being at his home with his family was traveling to new places with them, a pursuit he enjoyed into his later years. A lover of ideas and student of human history, he was an avid reader until macular degeneration finally forced him to put down books several years ago. Harry always loved to dance, so much so that even a hip fracture at age 95 could not keep him in his seat. When he was in especially good spirits, everyone within earshot knew from the cheerful melodies he would whistle as he went about his business. Long may that sound echo in our ears. The family would like to thank many people, far too numerous to name. These include the dedicated and caring staff of Alexian Village throughout the years Harry lived there, and particularly those of the Healthcare and Rehab facility, Hospice of Chattanooga, and his caretakers with Alexian Home Care who provided such outstanding care when the need was greatest. A graveside memorial service is planned for July 28, at 9:30 a.m. prior to his burial at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga. If you would like to honor Harry's memory, please consider donating to BrightFocus Foundation (www.brightfocus.org) in support of macular degeneration research. Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tenn., 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com.