Although Larry was aware of his Italian, English and German heritage, it came as a surprise to him when he discovered his great grandmother Jane Shannon was from Dublin Ireland.
Larry is the fourth oldest of 14 children of Lois and Delbert Balagna – 10 boys and 4 girls. He jokingly said that the 4 girls could easily whip the 10 into shape. He grew up in Illinois and Kansas City, entered the Marine Corp when he was 18, where he served four years as an Air Radar Technician. Upon returning home from the service, he paid a visit with his father to see his grandparents back in Illinois. During his visit, an uncle who worked in the family house moving business, started by Larry’s grandfather in the 1940s, was injured in an accident. Larry was asked to work with them, which he continued for many years.
While joining his sister on a bowling team, he met his future wife Sheila. Together they had three sons, (Kurt, Matthew and Greg) who have in turn given them 5 granddaughters (Mary, Alyson, Kelsie, Sophia and Sarah) and 1 grandson (John). He was a Webelos leader and Boy Scout leader for the local Troop. He conducted high adventure trips to Colorado and the Minnesota boundary waters for the Troop. Larry served as a volunteer coach for the high school wrestling team. A job relocation for his wife had them move from their small town to the Dallas area in 1995. Larry has worked for American Airlines and Northwood University. The University also Awarded him as Knights Champion in 2013.
Larry is very active in his church, where he is an usher, and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He serves on an ad hoc team of Knights called the Knights Hands, on which they freely offer service to those needing assistance on repairs to their homes, moving, mowing as well as yard work. In 2021, he was presented with the Knight of Year Award at Holy Spirit.
Several years ago Larry joined the Irish American Society with Sheila, and enjoys the camaraderie with its members. Larry served as Vice President of the IAS in 2012-13 and Co-President with Sheila 2013-2015. He has helped the IAS set up and work the booth at the NTIF, and is also a member of the SCMA and helps during the set up/tear down phase of the NTIF.
Larry and Sheila have traveled several times to Ireland, as well as joining the activities of the Rose of Tralee while there. They have also traveled to Italy, home of his grandfather, and Croatia where Sheila’s mother had ancestors. They will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in March at Knock Shrine, Ireland.
Larry feels honored to have been chosen as the 2023 Irish Person of the Year.
Larry is the fourth oldest of 14 children of Lois and Delbert Balagna – 10 boys and 4 girls. He jokingly said that the 4 girls could easily whip the 10 into shape. He grew up in Illinois and Kansas City, entered the Marine Corp when he was 18, where he served four years as an Air Radar Technician. Upon returning home from the service, he paid a visit with his father to see his grandparents back in Illinois. During his visit, an uncle who worked in the family house moving business, started by Larry’s grandfather in the 1940s, was injured in an accident. Larry was asked to work with them, which he continued for many years.
While joining his sister on a bowling team, he met his future wife Sheila. Together they had three sons, (Kurt, Matthew and Greg) who have in turn given them 5 granddaughters (Mary, Alyson, Kelsie, Sophia and Sarah) and 1 grandson (John). He was a Webelos leader and Boy Scout leader for the local Troop. He conducted high adventure trips to Colorado and the Minnesota boundary waters for the Troop. Larry served as a volunteer coach for the high school wrestling team. A job relocation for his wife had them move from their small town to the Dallas area in 1995. Larry has worked for American Airlines and Northwood University. The University also Awarded him as Knights Champion in 2013.
Larry is very active in his church, where he is an usher, and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He serves on an ad hoc team of Knights called the Knights Hands, on which they freely offer service to those needing assistance on repairs to their homes, moving, mowing as well as yard work. In 2021, he was presented with the Knight of Year Award at Holy Spirit.
Several years ago Larry joined the Irish American Society with Sheila, and enjoys the camaraderie with its members. Larry served as Vice President of the IAS in 2012-13 and Co-President with Sheila 2013-2015. He has helped the IAS set up and work the booth at the NTIF, and is also a member of the SCMA and helps during the set up/tear down phase of the NTIF.
Larry and Sheila have traveled several times to Ireland, as well as joining the activities of the Rose of Tralee while there. They have also traveled to Italy, home of his grandfather, and Croatia where Sheila’s mother had ancestors. They will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in March at Knock Shrine, Ireland.
Larry feels honored to have been chosen as the 2023 Irish Person of the Year.
