Funeral Details

Bruce Howard Balonick

October 22, 1948 - March 21, 2023

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Friday, March 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM

Service

Makom Solel Lakeside
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
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Clergy

Rabbi Evan Moffic
Rabbi Isaac Serotta
Cantor Jay O'Brien
Makom Solel Lakeside

Donation - Private

Shiva

Makom Solel Lakeside
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
Get Directions
Following the service until 2PM

Memorial Contributions

Makom Solel Lakeside
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
www.mymakom.org
or
Special Olympics Chicago
2 East 8th Street, Suite 2M
Chicago, Illinois 60605
www.sochicago.org




OBITUARY

Bruce Howard Balonick, 74, passed away unexpectedly on March 21st. Bruce was a beloved husband of Marcia Balonick nee Wolfberg, a loving father of Joshua L. (Mindy) Balonick and Annie (Marc) Atlas, a proud grandfather of Aubrey, Brooke, Luke, Marlee and Griffin, and uncle and great uncle to many beloved nieces and nephews. Bruce was also a dear brother of Leslie (Casey) Radkiewicz and the late Stacy (and the late Michael) Rago, brother-in-law to Brian (and the late Linda) Wolfberg, Bernard (Laura) Wolfberg and a cherished son of the late Melvin and June Balonick.  Bruce, or BruPa, loved spending time with his family. He was the most supportive sports fan to grandchildren, grandnieces and nephews or even just friend’s children. He was best known for his moves on the ski slopes and the joy it brought him to ski with family and friends. Bruce was kind, loving, easy-going and will be missed by all who knew him. Service Friday 10 AM at Makom Solel Lakeside, 1301 Clavey Road, Highland Park, IL 60035. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Makom Solel Lakeside, www.mymakom.org, or to Special Olympics Chicago, 2 East 8th Street, Suite 2M, Chicago, IL 60605, www.sochicago.org. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

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Bruce was a great person who I liked very much. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.

Ronald Menaker
March 22, 2023
I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family.
I wish you peace and comfort while you grieve.

Anna and Jozef

Anna Drab
March 22, 2023
Peace to you all during this difficult time!
Much love,
Joyce and Charles

Joyce Amico
March 22, 2023
Bruce was one if my very first friends. Whenever
I would see him he gave me that big warm smile and a hug.. he was a great guy and will be missed by all.
Wendy Nathan


Wendy Nathan
March 23, 2023
I am so sad to hear about Bruce's passing. Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. My family, the Hoffman's, lived across the street from the Balonick family.
Living so close to each other, our families got to know one another.
The Balonick's were such a fun family; they had the joie de vivre. (The joy of life).
The first time we saw them, they were on the front lawn practicing how to stop on skis, the snow plow! They included us and other neighbors in their activities as well.
Perhaps, Bruce's upbringing with a father and mother that were so gregarious and generous, was second nature to him, too.

As Bruce was older than me, (I was closer to his sister Stacy's age; so sorry to hear of her passing), we maybe said hi to one another.
The last time I saw Bruce was, unfortunately, at a Shiva for a friend of his family and ours.
It was the first time we actually interacted at some length and I was struck by his genuine, sweet nature.
May his memory be a blessing.

Pamela Hoffman Venticinque
March 23, 2023
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Bruce's untimely passing. To say he was "one of the good ones," would be a gross understatement. He was more than that, an excellent lawyer, a kind and thoughtful mentor, always a teammate, a leader on the diamond, loved and respected by his colleagues. I will miss him. his wise counsel, and that smile that could light up a room.

Jim Hochman
March 23, 2023
I, like so many others, am shocked and deeply saddened by Bruce's sudden death. It was always a pleasure to work with Bruce as one of my partner at Arnstein & Lehr.
Bruce was a pillar the firm was built on. Bruce always had the time and patience to help me with legal matters. He taught me so much about life and the law. I admired his good sense and sense of humor. Bruce touched untold numbers of lives making each of their lives better. We all wish we had more time with Bruce and we are all grieving for our loss. Bruce had an unmistakable ner tamid in his heart, an ever present flame, that lit the good and righteous way for him, for all those around him, and now finally back to Hashem.
So often we describe the person who passed as having been "a special person". That's all good and well, but Bruce truly was a special person. We will miss Bruce and his light.
Thank you Bruce.
David Rallo

David Rallo
March 23, 2023
My condolences to Marcia and the whole family. Bruce had a great impact on my life from the day he started with the firm in 1989 and I got to know him. If anyone deserves the title "mensch," Bruce is it. Good-bye, old friend, Broucka and I will miss you greatly.

John Ropiequet
March 23, 2023
So saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing what a terrible loss for so many. I loved him. Arnie adored him . My heartfelt condolences to you all.

Robbie balonick
March 23, 2023
Bruce was a thoughtful, caring and approachable person. He will dearly be missed. My condolences to his loving family.

John Reyes
March 23, 2023
Dear Marcia, Annie and Josh, I was shocked and deeply sad to hear the news only minutes ago about Bruce's passing. Bruce was a kind, supportive and enthusiastic person and so beloved by all who knew him. Please accept my condolences and sympathy at this time of profound grief-- I send my love. May his life be a blessing to all who knew, loved and admired Bruce.
Shelley Rosenstein

Shelley Rosenstein
March 24, 2023
I felt I was attending Bruce's funeral via live streaming from my home here in Tucson.
The tributes to Bruce were so true and powerful. Every time one speaker finished talking I waited and strongly hoped there would be another person and another and another who would come to the front and speak more about Bruce. I did not want the tributes to end. I felt that when the tributes ended ,the reality of his being gone would set in.
I desperately did not want that to come so soon.
I believe the family's recent gathering in Steam Boat was more and different than all the prior family gatherings.
This one had a special meaning and purpose. One that is now clear to all.
David Rallo

DAVID RALLO
March 24, 2023
I'm shocked and saddened to know that Bruce has died. He was such a wonderful, kind, caring person. Many share in your sorrow. I will have fond memories of Bruce...just thinking of him brings a smile to my face. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Jill Jacobs
March 24, 2023
I am deeply saddened that Bruce is no longer with us. He had a profound impact on me for the period of time I worked with him. He was approachable, patient and kind; always stopping what he was working on to lend his valuable legal insight to me. It pains me that his joyful spirit was taken so suddenly. I often joked with him that I had hoped to be only half as active as he was. He was unique, with a beautiful zest for life.

The Rivera family sends our deepest condolences and wishes his wife Marcia, family and loved ones peace and comfort during this trying time. Bruce, you wll be sorely missed.

Leyla Jimenez

Leyla Jimenez Rivera
March 24, 2023
I worked with Bruce at Arnstein & Lehr. I was a Paralegal. I have been a Paralegal for over 20 years and have never met a nicer attorney. Bruce was one of a kind. He was a special human being. Didn’t matter who you were you were treated with dignity and respect. My heart aches especially for his family. I don’t know how you fill that space he held. Just know he was dearly loved. Sending prayers.

Melissa Flowers
March 24, 2023
Bruce was a fantastic human being. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work along side him, learn from him and call him a friend. He will be truly missed.

Jeremy Waitzman
March 24, 2023
There are no words to describe the joy the Balonick family has passed on to us.
He picked me up September 1967 to take me to my dorm.
We knew someone in common.
Neil, Erin and will always keep you in our heats and minds.
Love the Silver family.

Linden Silver
March 24, 2023
I was so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing, but was so appreciative to have had the pleasure of calling him my law partner and, more importantly, my friend for over 20 years. Seeing the outpouring of Bruce's friends and family at his funeral today was such a blessing, and it was wonderful to hear first hand how Bruce touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed.

David Wayne
March 24, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family. May his memory bring you closer.
Fondly,
Caryn

Caryn Rosen Adelman
March 25, 2023
I went to school with Bruce and always thought of him as a nice, caring and enthusiastic person. My husband Bob and I sat with him at our last high school reunion and enjoyed his company so much. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his entire family. May Bruce's memory be a blessing and may he forever live on in your hearts.

Sandy Pearlman Simon
March 27, 2023