Carl Benjamin Balk, 97, of West Hartford, devoted husband of the late Freda K. Balk, for 72 years passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. He was the son of the late Rose (S.) and Wolf Balk born in Warsaw, Poland Dec. 13, 1913. Carl came to the United States at age 7 with his mother and sister with the sponsorship of his Uncle Solomon. Carl retained many memories, recalling them many times, of the hard life growing up in Hartford in those days. Carl attended Hartford Public High School. Carl served honorably in the Conn. National Guard from 1932-1935. Nov. 13, 1937 Carl and Freda Krugman Balk married, and they worked together successfully running several businesses, making a living for the family. During WWII, Carl worked at Colt Firearms for the war effort. A good swimmer, on two different occasions, he saved the life of an adult and a child. He was a long-time member of Beth El Temple, a 10 yr. volunteer at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen. After retirement, Carl and Freda kept active square dancing locally and in other states as well as volunteering to teach/demonstrate square dancing to patients at Cedar Crest Hospital. They attained their goal of travel to many places in the USA and other countries. He leaves his beloved daughters Myrle B. Goodman and husband Robert Goodman of West Hartford, Idylle B. Patz and partner Larry Guyer of Claymont, Del., six grandchildren David (Joanie) Goodman of Meriden, Kenneth (Lisa) Goodman of Tahoe City, Ca., Rabbi Aaron (Sharon) Gaber of Margate, N.J., Miriam (Reuben) Kantor of Jamaica Plain, Ma., Abraham Patz of Dover, Del., and Sarena Rawstrom of Seaford, Del. He was predeceased by his daughter Faith B. Gaber. Also his legacy of love goes to his great grandchildren Benjamin, Yonah, Aliza, and Reena Gaber, Jonathan and Joshua Goodman, Gabriel and Gideon Patz, Bobbi Rawstrom and Chase Goodman. He was the brother to Barbara Quint of Slingerlands, N.Y. and the late Shirley B. Cohen. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. So many thanks go to Mary, Libby, Jane, Evelyn, Cecelia, Peggy, Johana, Suzanne, Carolyn and all the staff at the Holiday Retirement Home who were so caring in all they did for him Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow in the Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson St., Avon. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of Robert and Myrle Goodman following interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford, 06117 or Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave. W.H. 06117.. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Carl, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm