Raymond Frank Balerio
Raymond Frank Balerio April 8, 1928 – March 9, 2008
Raymond F. Balerio of Grand Junction passed away at his home with his family at his side on Sunday, March 9, 2008. 
He was 79 years of age.
Raymond was born on April 8, 1928 at Alamosa, CO to Genevevo and Vicentita Romero Balerio. He spent his childhood in Alamosa and attended schools there. 
He served with the U. S. Air Force during WWII and was a member of the American Legion.
Raymond was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Raymond worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Grand Junction Drainage District. He enjoyed gardening, travel and especially being with his family and participating in family activities. One of his greatest joys was driving through the valley and watching all the new growth.
On June 30, 1947, Raymond married Maria L. Martinez. She survives him. Other survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Julian and Josephine Balerio, Don and Eva Balerio and Gerald Balerio; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pauline and Fred Gallegos, and Diane and Phillip Raimer, all of Grand Junction; a sister Jennie Johnson of Alamosa, CO, 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. His parents, two sons Lawrence and Steve, two sisters and one brother preceded him in death.
The Rosary will be prayed on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow the mass at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado P. O. Box 60307 Grand Junction, CO 81506.