The
oldest resident of Big Sky, Dr. Francis W. Balice, passed away on March 7,
2019.
Dr.
Balice was born in Ionia, Michigan, in 1921. He graduated from the University
of Michigan in Chemistry in 1942. It was there that he met and married Jean
Coffelt. They had four children, Judy, Randy, Bill and Janet. Bill passed away
in 2005.
After
the end of World War II, Fran—as he was affectionately called—went back to the
University of Michigan to obtain his medical degree. He established his first
medical practice in West Branch, Michigan, where, in his 30s, he discovered
skiing.
He
subsequently opened another medical practice in Adrian, Michigan, which was interrupted
by two years in the US Army.
He
loved skiing from his very first run, and it became an important part of his
life, as well as the impetus for many of his travels. He even won a national slalom
championship in his age group when he was 85 years old. He and Everett Kircher
knew each other well in Michigan, and both moved to Montana around the same
time.
In the
mid-70s he married Grace Velandra, and they lived first in Switzerland, then Boise,
Idaho, and finally Bozeman. Fran and Grace loved Big Sky, so eventually they
moved full-time to the base of Big Sky Resort, where he was a part-time ski
patrolman and mountain host. He said that he never wanted to leave, “until the good
Lord takes me away.”
The
Balices loved tennis and were also members of the hiking club; Dr. Balice also
became an avid Montana fisherman. He spoke four languages and was a lifelong
Michigan Wolverine football fan.
In
1999, Grace passed. In addition to his three children, Dr. Balice is survived
by 4 grandchildren and two great-grand-children.
In lieu
of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Balice may be made to Eagle Mount or
your choice of charity.
At the
end of his life, he wanted us to say, “It was a good ride.”
Please join the family for a celebration of
life at Buck’s T4 Sunday, March 17 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
