Jerry C. DeBalso, 85, of Webster, NY and a former Canastota and Sherrill resident passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Highland Hospital, Rochester, following a lengthy illness.

He was born on August 9, 1940, in Canastota, the son of the late Anthony "Sykie" and Florence (Picciano) DeBalso.

Jerry spent his early years in Canastota, graduating from Canastota High School in 1958, and Villanova University in 1962, with a bachelor's degree in science. He played football for Villanova, where they were Sun Bowl Champions in 1961, and later tried out for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. Jerry lived in Oneida and Sherrill for many years, moving to Naples, FL following his retirement.

He was a math teacher at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School for thirty-five years, retiring in 1997. Jerry was a Varsity Football and Softball Coach at VVS for many years, being inducted into the NYS Softball Hall of Fame in 2017 for broadcasting, after many years of announcing Section 3 Sports for WMCR. He was an exceptional athlete, and continued in sports, playing softball on the Three Pines and NAPA Auto Parts teams. Jerry was also a NYSPHSAA Wrestling Referee for many years.

Jerry enjoyed playing cards, especially poker, golf, traveling, bowling, socializing with friends, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was of the Roman Catholic Faith.

Jerry is survived by his live-in companion of twenty-eight years, Sonja Hluska; two sons, John and Collene DeBalso, and Steven DeBalso and Pamela Kincheloe-DeBalso; one daughter, Carolyn and Tim Maciag; his former wife and mother of his children, Barbara (Shields) DeBalso; one sister-in-law, Gail (Davis) DeBalso; eight grandchildren, Lindsay (DeBalso) and Chris Tacak, Jason and Claudia (Falcone) DeBalso, Anthony DeBalso, Michael DeBalso, Jesse DeBalso, Cara Maciag, Caleb Maciag, and Julia Maciag; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jerry was predeceased by two brothers and a sister-in-law, Michael and Melody DeBalso, and Anthony DeBalso; and one sister and brother-in-law, Florence and Frank "Sharkie" Giufre.

Calling hours will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Agatha's Church, 329 N. Peterboro Street, Canastota, NY, with a funeral mass to follow with the Rev. Christopher J. Ballard, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Agatha's Cemetery, Canastota. Arrangements are under the supervision of the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, 5275 State Route 31, Verona, NY 13478, with envelopes available at the church.