Anthony “Tony” Balich, union pipefitter who loved to sing the Blues, dies at 74.
Anthony “Tony” Michael Balich of Hickory Hills, a union pipefitter who loved to cook and sang the Blues proudly and often out of tune, died Oct. 6, 2026. He was 74.
He was born Sept. 18, 1952, and raised in Summit, where he attended Argo Community High School. He spent his working years as a pipefitter with Local 597 and retired from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
He was hard to miss and harder to ignore. His voice could fill a room, whether the room was ready for it or not, and being out of tune never dimmed his enthusiasm.
He had a big personality, a big heart and a way of making himself part of the lives of the people around him. He leaves behind plenty of stories, a lot of laughter and, his family wrote, a few recipes someone will insist they remember exactly how he made.
He and his wife, Susan (née Raineri), were married more than 50 years, an achievement that, knowing Tony, his family wrote, owes a little credit to Susan for putting up with him that long.
He is survived by his wife; his daughters, Kimberly (Bill) Landis and Jessica (Chris) Gatzke; his grandchildren, Christopher Gatzke, Adeline Gatzke, Alexus McLaughlin, Dillon Landis, Maridea Landis and Juno Landis; his great-grandchildren, Viola Hawks and Oliver Hawks; his sister, Patricia (John) Laycock; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Kathryn Balich, and his brother, Michael Balich (the late Cathy Balich).
His family hopes that wherever he is now, there is a well-stocked kitchen, a comfortable chair, a good Blues band and someone willing to sing along, even a little off-key.
Services: None are scheduled. Cremation rites have been accorded. To be notified of a future memorial service, should one be held, complete the family’s form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu39tca4I8A94WIqiAQSdqJ9dhJJEO6DiqwSqesVwjWkHe5Q/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=115362703820388331040
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in his memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.