Michael Balsamides

In Loving Memory of Michael Balsamides

Michael Balsamides, age 96, passed away on August 20, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving behind a lifetime of faith, service, family, friendship, and devotion to others. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Navy veteran, and faithful member of his church. He will be remembered for his strong character, generous spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to the people and causes he held dear.

Mike was born on March 6, 1930, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the son of the late Thomas and Despina Balsamides, who immigrated to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ann\ Balsamides, and his sisters, Marie, Agnes, Rose, and Lynn.

He is survived by his brother, Emmanuel and his wife, Patricia Balsamides, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; his children, Tom and his wife Mary Balsamides, Georgeanne Balsamides, and Michael and his wife Carrie Balsamides; his grandchildren Alexa and her husband Alex Albritton, Kaitlyn Balsamides, Michael and his wife Moriah Balsamides, and Anna Balsamides, all of Atlanta; his great-grandchildren Margaret Albritton and Ida Balsamides; and his many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mike proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. After his service, he settled in Atlanta and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. While earning his Engineering degree, he met Mary Grammas at a church function. The two married in June 1958 and began what would become more than 60 years of marriage.

Mike and Mary spent several years in New Jersey, where they welcomed their children, Tom and Georgeanne, before returning to Atlanta, where their third child, Michael, was born. Together, they built a loving family and a life centered around faith, family, and community.

Mike worked for Lockheed Martin, where his official job title was “Special Projects.” (If anyone actually knows what “Special Projects” means, please let us know!) Whatever the job may have entailed, Mike approached it with the same dedication and work ethic that he brought to everything else in his life. He remained with Lockheed Martin until his retirement in 1984.

Affectionately known as “Mr. B,” “Uncle Mike,” and, of course, “Papou,” Mike was fiercely devoted to his family and his church. His faith was not simply something he practiced; it was a fundamental part of who he was. He believed deeply in the importance of faith, fellowship, and community.

One of the causes closest to his heart was the young people of his church. Mike believed they needed a safe and welcoming place to gather, play sports, build friendships, and simply be kids. He understood that a church was more than a place of worship; it was a place where young people could find guidance, belonging, encouragement, friendship, and joy.

Throughout his life, Mike devoted countless hours to creating sports programs and tournaments for children and adults of all ages at the Hellenic Community Center. These events became much more than games. They brought parishioners together, created lasting friendships, and produced countless memories and stories that are still shared today. For so many people in the community, those gatherings represent some of the happiest and most memorable times of their lives.

For many years, Mike could also be found working in the gyro tent at the Atlanta Greek Festival, alongside his lifelong friends. He loved being part of the festival and, as always, being surrounded by his church family and friends.

In his later years, Mike continued to serve his church through various committees and remained committed to bringing people together. He organized outings for the seniors at least once a month, making sure there was always another opportunity to get together, share a meal, laugh, and enjoy one another's company.

When he wasn't serving his church or community, Mike could often be found in his workshop, where he spent many hours building endless birdhouses with his grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family and friends at Lake Burton, and he cherished the many memories made there. He also maintained an especially close and inseparable bond with his brother, Emmanuel, with whom he spoke frequently by phone.

Until the very end of his life, Mike remained devoted to his church, his faith, his family, and his friends. His legacy can be found not only in the family he leaves behind, but in the countless people he welcomed, encouraged, helped, and brought together throughout his 96 years.

He will be deeply missed by his family, his church family, his many friends, and the generations of young people whose lives he touched. But the memories he created, the friendships he built, and the example he set through a lifetime of service will live on.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, the service will be held at 11:00 AM with interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greek Orthodox Church Youth Ministries, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, in memory of Michael Balsamides.