Obituary of Julia Vincentina Ballaro Peck

Julia Vincentina Ballaro Peck, age 99 of Belleview, Florida passed away in her home on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 with her daughter, Debra, son-in-law, Matthew, grandchildren, Jeremiah, Amber, Christopher, Joshua, and Brandon at her side.

Julia was born in Elizabeth, NJ on April 24, 1920, and raised in Norwich, CT.

She was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Carmella (Manetta) Ballaro. At the age of 16 she was a patient assistant helping the nurses at St. Theresa Hospital, where she found her interest to care, serve, and help others. At age 18, Julia went to work for the Bay Medical Supply Company for 4 years. For the next 28 years, she was employed by the Thermos Company. Initially making thermos bottle products, Julia found her way back in the medical field providing emergency first aid to employees. Working there is where she met and then married Harry Peck, Jr. on July 31, 1954 in Westerly, RI. Together, the two built their home in Ledyard, CT, where they lived for 32 years raising their family. Prior to retiring, she continued to find pleasure in caring for others as a home health aide. In 1987, Julia and her husband retired to Florida, residing at Smith Lake Shores in Belleview, Florida. For 8 years preceding the passing of her devoted husband on October 24, 1995, the two enjoyed time together traveling, going out to eat, social gatherings, and spending time with family and friends.

Throughout her life, she was active in volunteering and contributing to various organizations. Also, Julia always offered to help others that were in need. Her “good deeds” gave her a sense of purpose to make a difference, meet new people, and bring enjoyment to others.

For seven years, Julia provided a child living in a disadvantaged community in New York City and country vacations as a Fresh Air Fund host family. A parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes in Gales Ferry, CT, she taught religion classes to young children and faithfully made donations biannually to the VFW and Hospice of Marion County.

Julia was a parishioner at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Belleview, Florida for 33 years. For 13 years, she was a member of C.E.R.T. (certified emergency response team) for the Marion County Sherriff’s Department. She was trained in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.

Julia also spent 15 years as a member of S.L.A.P. (Smith Lake Action Patrol), for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, driving the community crime watch patrol car in her own community and in other neighborhoods.

Julia loved to entertain family and friends. She always made sure nobody left with an empty stomach. She was proud of her Italian heritage and she made the best homemade manicotti, Italian cookies, and New York cheesecakes. She found enjoyment going out to eat with family and friends and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at football, baseball games, and cheerleading. Julia loved playing pinochle and other card games and attending social gatherings.

Above all things, Julia was proud and loved her family. She always stated, “I have been blessed with such a wonderful family.” She was devoted to her family and friends and leaves an uncountable amount of memories and stories to be shared. She will sadly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

When Julia was asked the secret to living a long life she would always reply, “Always keep busy doing something, don’t stop!”

Julia is survived by her daughters, Judith (Fred) Whipple of Ledyard, CT, Catherine (Paul) Moreau of Clermont, FL, and Debra (Matthew) Coats of Ocala, FL; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Alberta Fidrych of Norwich, CT and Jorine Salvidio of Norwich, CT; brother, Charles Ballaro of Rock Hill, SC; many nieces and nephews; and her close friend, John Bottelli.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry Peck, JR; sisters, Esther Wise of Niantic, CT, Blanche Ballaro of Norwich, CT, and Priscilla Bechtel of Newport, RI; brothers, Anthony Ballaro of Norwich, CT, Carmello Ballaro of CA, Peter Ballaro of Abilene, TX, Joseph Ballaro of Preston, CT, and John Ballaro.

Family and friends are invited to attend a drive up visitation at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services on Sunday, May 17 from 6:00 pm til 7:00 pm where attendees are invited to stay in their cars to pay their respects to Julia’s family members and friends. A mass will be held on Monday, May 18 at 10:30 am for the immediate family. Anyone who would like to is encouraged to tune into the Webcast of the funeral at this link: http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/784027099.

Anyone interested in doing so may send voice or video recordings to be shared with the family to reflections@hiers-baxley.net. For those of you that want to attend but can’t due to gathering guidelines, please call 352-629-7171 and we will put a rose with your name and condolences in place to show the family your support. Online condolences may also be sent to hiers-baxley.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the charity of your choice in memory of Julia.