James E. Balin, 65, entered into eternal rest on November 26, 2023. He was born in Springfield, MA and lived in West Springfield, MA all his life, graduating from West Springfield High School in June 1975. He worked at Columbia Manufacturing in Westfield as an Assembler from 1978 until his retirement in 2018. During his employment, he assembled school furniture, bicycles and fixed rowing exercise machines. Prior to his employment at Columbia, James worked at the Park Street Convenience Store as a Clerk/Cashier. James enjoyed playing Bingo and visiting with friends at the American Legion on Park Ave. In his younger years, James enjoyed bowling. Jams is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Eileen (Robbins) Balin, his sister Leslie Joyce Balin Slate, and his brother Charles F. Balin, Jr. He leaves his sister Cheryl L. (Balin) Koski, three nieces - Kristie Jo Koski of Davis, CA, Kerri Lee Koski (Miklos Van Halen) of Marco Island, Fl, Katie J. Koski of Cheyenne, Wy, a nephew Kristopher C. Koski (Ewa Dawson Koski) of Cheyenne, Wy and a great nephew - Nikolas C. Van Halen (age 8) of Marco Island, Fl and a great niece - Kamdyn L. Crumpton (age 5) of Cheyenne, Wy). A graveside service will be Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 9:30am at Paucatuck Cemetery.  Curran Jones Funeral Home is in charge.