Claude
J.
Balestra
Obituary
Claude J. Balestra,68, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away on April 16, 2023, surrounded by family at Lutheran Hospital. Claude was born on September 3, 1954, in Havana, Cuba. His formative years were spent across multiple countries in Europe and South America. He made his home in Fort Wayne in 1973 and began his 44 year-long career at Fort Wayne Metals, starting on the production line and working his way up to a senior position as Global Business Director. He loved his time traveling and found a second family with his colleagues at FWM. Claude completed his bachelor’s degree at IPFW and received his Master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan. Claude loved strong coffee and good wine, hosting dinners with his family, telling countless stories from his travels, and cherished watching his grand-puppy Layla on weekends in his later years. He is survived by his wife Cindy (Costello), two children Alexander (Alixandra) and Elizabeth.
Sisters Melba (Moe) Shokrai of VA, Liliane Carroll of Fort Wayne, father-in-law Joseph Costello, sister-in-law Molly (Mark) McCrory, and brother-in-law Patrick (Valerie) Costello, 3 nieces, 3 nephews, 1 great-niece and 1 great-nephew. Claude was preceded in death by his parents Claude Sr. and Georgina, brother-in-law James Carroll, and mother-in-law Kathleen Costello. Visitation will be Friday, April 21, 2023, from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. A Mass of Christian Resurrection will be held at a later date. Memorials to Allen County ASPCA or Masses.
Services
Condolences
When uploading images, please allow the images to fully transfer before submitting form. Image thumbnails will appear below the comment box.
Comment required for image uploads.
20 total images or 20Mb max.
With great sadness, we remember Claudes zest for travel and adventure, and his kind smile, that always conveyed a sense of ease in the most trying of circumstances ! His presence will be missed !
Deepest sympathies to all of Claude’s family and friends, a true gentleman who made me very welcome while visiting and working in Fort Wayne. Thoughts and prayers with you all at this time.
Dear Claude’s family
We are very saddened by the news of Claude’s passing, We worked together for many years in business in Brazil.
We are in prayer for you.
We ask God to give peace to dear Claude.
Denise Azevedo – Acnis do Brasil
Cindy, Alex, and Elizabeth,
We are so sad to hear of Claude’s passing. I know we haven’t kept in touch lately, but enjoyed knowing you all when the boys were in school together. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
I was so sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. I so enjoyed traveling with him and hearing his stories. He was quite a colorful fellow, and he had such great relationships with Ft. Wayne Metals customers.
My sympathies to Cindy, Alex and Elizabeth. You all are in my prayers.
Claudi, with our most fond memories of how kind your Dad and Mam were to all of us when we moved to Brazil. Your Mam’s gentleness will be for ever remembered, as well as the pleasurable times spent with you, Melba and Lilli. Being out of town, we share all our affection with the Balestra Family, Cindy and your children. Louis and Patricia Piat
Cindy, Alex and Elizabeth so sorry for the loss of Claude. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers. We are so saddened to hear about Claude. He was a gentleman, great firend and colleague of ours. We IRC Consulting team in Korea will always remember him.
Dear Cindy, Alex and Elizabeth,
My deepest condolences to you. Claude was a true gentleman. I know he loved me. I will miss him forever. May he rest in peace.
Cindy,Alex,Ally and Elizabeth,
There are no words. Tim and I loved spending time with Claude. He was so peaceful and kind. May God now hold him in the palm of his hand.
Love and prayers,
Tim and Ann Isch
Dear Cindy, dear Alex and Elizabeth,
Claude was very dear, he always transmitted peace by his serenity, I met him in his business trips in Sorocaba – SP.
Receive my sincere condolences.
I will be praying that Our Lord have mercy on his soul and that he may rest in peace in the Eternal Jerusalem.
Silvio R Ribeiro
Acnis do Brasil
“Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also.
In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be.
And you know where I am going. And you know the way.”
I will be praying that Our Lord has mercy on his soul and that he may rest in peace in the Eternal Jerusalem.
Silvio Ribeiro
Acnis do Brasil.
Dear Claude in heaven, we first met in 2014, and last talked in 2023. Until later we meet again there, I will cherish every precious moment with you. I’ll take some bottles of Chardonnay for you.
Dear Cindy, dear Alixandra and Elizabeth,
My sincere condolences to you and all close friend of Claude. It has been quite a while we saw each other, but I have always kept good contact with my dear friend Claude. We have lost a core member of the Fort Wayne Metals family, who had the ability to bind people.
I have indeed travelled a lot with Claude and cherish the good memories we have. I admire Claude for the calmness, his broad interest and view, which he could share whilst always respecting every person and group. He had truly a great and warm heart and I will miss him.
warm regards, Wouter
Dear Cindy, Alex and Elizabeth,
Sincere sympathies to you. Claude was a lovely man and a joy to know. He will be dearly missed by so many people in Europe that he befriended over the years. Our prayer and thoughts are with you during these tough times. May he Rest in Peace
Cindy and Family:
Im sorry we could not be with you.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you!
We are deeply saddened by your loss and wish you comfort, peace, and love during this time.
Dear Cindy, Alex and Family
Morgan and Greg and I would like to send our deepest condolences to you and yours. It was not so long ago that I was on a field trip to Notre Dame with our eighth graders. Alex loved his dad very much Morgan tells me. It was very apparent. Now our kids are grown. How proud your dad is. What a wonderful mom and wife he has. Blessings to all, especially anyone I have forgotten. Caroline, Morgan Sheets Kingdon and Gregory.
On behalf of the Metallurgical Solutions team, please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
We are deeply saddened; our hearts and love are with the Balestra family at this difficult time. We know their faith is strong. Claude is being held tightly in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Cindy, Alex and Elizabeth our deepest sympathy and prayers. We are so saddened to hear about Claude. He was a Great friend and coworker. May the angels take him to heavens and place him in the arms of Jesus.🙏😢🙏
May you rest in peace.
I would like to thank you for all the support you have given me both publicly and privately during my tenure at FWM.
We miss you very much.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
May you find comfort in these words and know we are with you in this difficult time.
Cindy and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Claude was so easy going and I loved working with him. Praying going up for you and your family during this time. I’m so very sorry.💔