Birth date: Feb 22, 1943 Death date: Aug 25, 2022
Beloved father, grandfather, and friend, Gerard “Jerry” Ballanco, M.D. departed this life on August 25, 2022 at the age of 79. He grew up in Riverbend and attended Holy Name of Jesus, Jesuit High School, Loyola University, and LSU Read Obituary
This message is over 3 years since Jerry passed away but I think of him often. Many people knew him through his master gardening but I knew him via woodworking. I think of him every time I pull out one of my hand planes and hear it whisper across the wood. I will also miss our enlightening (for me anyway) conversations on a variety of topics. He was an awesome mentor and inspiration to me. I feel blessed to have met him and still carry cherished memories of him.
Thank you for sharing your love story with me, Jean, and for living out your wedding vows. We need mentors like you to show us how to do and that it can be done! The world is richer and more beautiful place because of Jerry... and poorer without him. Peace be with you.
Sandee Denomme
My bride Dee Dee and I met Gerry at the Covington plant sale in 2015 and after a short conversation I made the decision to go back to school and become a Master Gardener. Of course I continued my education and became a Vegicator the next year. Dee Dee and I visited Gerry at his home a few times and brought him some honey. His heart was so big one could not love him and his passion to teach how to become a better gardener. Our last encounter was this spring when we dropped off some Ping Tong eggplant plants and he gave us one of his favorite eggplant varieties. We are still picking eggplants from the plant he started from seed. I know the plant will wilt and die this fall but our memories of Gerry and his love of helping others will always be with us. Missed but not forgotten. Rest my fellow MG you have sowed the seeds and the harvest will continue for many years.
Jim & Dee Dee Bates
MG class of 2015
Vegicator class of 2016
Jerry had many qualities and high among them was humor, kindness and compassion. To his parents and friends, he was always there to assist in any way possible. I think of him often and miss him.
Jerry was the "de facto" leader of our Vegucators group. He started the group and developed the curriculum and directed us in development as a group. He was so knowledgeable about growing vegetables and so generous in sharing that knowledge. He taught us how to propagate and use grow lights and fertilize and compost. He had a good sense of humor and a twinkle in his eyes when he humored us along. Like a good father, if we veered off into too much fluff, he would call me up and get me to focus on the science of gardening. We all appreciated him as a person and admired him for his skill and dedication. I want to plant a tree in his name but if I am really going to truly honor him, I would simply grow a good tomato from seed to table. He would be delighted.
Mimi Padgett
St. Tammany Master Gardener
Vegucator chairperson
Dear Jean, I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. He seems like he was incredible in many ways. You are in my thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time.
Jean, I am so sorry you lost this wonderful man. I grieve for you. But you have his spirit and so many beautiful memories to give you peace. With love, June Luck
To try to adequately describe Jerry Ballanco, is a very difficult thing to do.
The enormity of his goodness, his kindness, and compassion are beyond what most can imagine.
The thought of not having him here on this earth, is very hard to accept. Jerry was blessed with the most wonderful and loving wife, family, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all. Our loss…heaven’s gain.
Katherine Coleman Babin
Jerry was a very inquisitive person when it came to growing plants. He would ask many questions and appreciated thought out responses. In most cases, his initial question led to long drawn-out discussions. And, he enjoyed growing food. Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, Irish potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and figs were some of the crops that Jerry and I would discuss.
I think the foundation of our relationship was built on sharing our knowledge and experiences with other gardeners so that they could have success too. His work with the Vegucators is a bold statement that will be here for years to come. Now, as Jerry tends to the big garden in the sky, I’ll remember what he did and all of the people who were able to switch their black thumbs to some shade of green.
Thank you for everything, Jerry!
I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be in Jerry's Master Gardener classes. He was one of the bright spots in our association. He had an incredible desire to be scientific in learning everything about gardening and was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise. He inspired us all. My condolences to all of his family, I can only imagine how much he will be missed by you all. We all loved him dearly and will certainly miss his kind spirit and gentle nature. Pamela Rowe, St Tammany Master Gardener, Class of 2009
