Obituary of Robert A. Ballok

Robert Alan Ballok, 72, of Coventry, passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Son of the late Alexander and Mary (Kellemen) Ballok, Robert was born on January 19, 1951, in Bridgeport, CT. 

After graduating from South Windsor High School in 1969, Bob entered the Air Force where he trained as a dental hygienist. Upon ending his time in the service, he moved into the dental sales field. Bob was a dedicated and hard worker and was very proud of his career and of becoming a Regional Operations Manager. 

In 1979, he married his wife of 29 years, Jean Brown. Bob was an avid golfer and you would find him at Twin Hills Golf Club at 5:30 a.m. every weekend. Bob will forever be known for his hard work, kind and gentle way, and his sense of humor which he passed down to his children. If Bob, aka “Grandpa Shark Attack” wasn’t on the golf course, you’d find him “taking a ride”, getting a coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, sitting in Outback Landscaping’s office, watching Fox News, watching his grandson’s baseball games, or visiting his grandchildren with “dough-ies” (donuts!).

In 2012, Bob met Debra. Together they spent the next 11 years in loving companionship doing everything together: but what they enjoyed the most was being at Debbie's home cuddling on the couch with the pups.

Robert is survived by his children, Robert Ballok Jr. and wife Jennifer, Melissa Fortunato and partner Daryl Cook; his grandchildren, Thomas and Samuel Fortunato and Finley, Grayson and Charley Ballok; his siblings, Sanyi Ballok (and wife, Sandy), Judi Lucas, and Pamela Pitts; as well as Robert's loving partner of 11 years, Debra O'Leary Kingsbury; her children, Daniel Kingsbury (Jessica) and Michael Kingsbury (Julie); and grandchildren, Asa, George and Johnathan Kingsbury. Robert was predeceased by his parents, and his loving wife, Jean.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St. in Manchester on Thursday, May 18 from 4 to 7pm. A funeral home service will take place on Friday at 10am, followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Coventry. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741 or St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.