Obituaries

James Armand Balmer, 78 of Oswego died at home on December 27, 2025 of complications from Alzheimer's Disease.

Jim was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing.

Jim was born in Susquehanna, PA, the only child of the late Kenneth and Mary (Battisti) Balmer on December 19, 1947. He graduated from Laurel Hill Academy with a class of 18 students. Jim received his BS in Pharmacy from the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1971, and did graduate work at Duquesne University. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife and daughter Carol McManus Balmer and Hannah Marie Balmer, sisters in law Judy McManus and Nora Lee, brothers in law Mark (Terry) McManus and James (Tammy) McManus, all of Oswego, and Michael (Karen) McManus of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by several Battisti cousins, particularly his cousin Peggy (Dennis) Wilcox, and many nieces and nephews, as well as his faithful canine companion Simon.

 He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved grandmother "Ma" Battisti, his in-laws Francis "Ned"  and Doris McManus, his brother in law Robert "Lucky" Lee and his nephew Garret McManus.

 He became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Reserve Corps. He served in the Indian Health Service, working for several years in Tuba City, AZ where he fell in love with Southwest Native culture. Following his service, he worked in Pittsburgh, PA before moving to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY to be closer to home during his mother's illness. It was in Cooperstown where Jim began dating fellow ACP alumna Carol McManus.

 Jim and Carol were married in Carol's home town of Oswego in 1983. They worked in Denver and Baltimore before settling in the Denver area for 35 years. Jim and Carol welcomed Hannah to their family in December, 1992. Jim was a devoted father, doing everything he could to help Hannah achieve her dreams. 

 Jim worked as a clinical pharmacist in Denver area hospitals and eventually retired as a Clinical Advice Pharmacist for Kaiser Permanente Health Systems. He was a member of several professional pharmaceutical organizations.

 Jim loved helping people, and when asked what he wanted his legacy to be said, "I would like to be remembered as a helper." He volunteered at the food pantry at Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Aurora, CO and in retirement drove for Meals On Wheels in the Denver area, where he developed a special bond with many of his clients. He loved to travel and the outdoors, especially hiking in the Rocky Mountains, skiing, camping, reading and he was a true music lover. He was a member of a drum circle in Arvada, CO for many years. He also volunteered for many years with special needs theater groups in Denver.

 Following Jim's Alzheimer's diagnosis the family moved from Denver to Oswego to be near family. Jim loved his adopted home town of Oswego, especially going to  Rudy's and experiencing our beautiful sunsets together with family. Jim and Simon loved walking all over the town and campus with his beloved dog, Simon.

 Friends and family may call at the Balmer family home at 60 West Seneca Street in Oswego on Tuesday, January 6th from 4:00 until 7:00 pm (parking available at St. Mary's Church on West 7th Street). A Catholic funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, January 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Christ The Good Shepherd Church, 50 East Mohawk Street in Oswego. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of the Dowdle Funeral Home of Oswego.

 Jim was fully committed to helping to find a cure for the disease that took his life. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Jim's name to: 

The Upstate Foundation, Alzheimer's Research (please specify Fund 027), 750 Adam's Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 or UpstateFoundation.org or to The Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter, 5015 Campuswood Drive, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or at ALZ.org