“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings…” Excerpted from HIGH FLIGHT by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Rockwell Melville George Balsom slipped away on March 31, 2026 at Albert O’Mahoney Memorial Manor, Clarenville, after a life of biblical duration: three score and ten. Rockwell, or more familiarly Rock or Rocky, has indeed departed this earthly realm on his final flight to his eternity in the cosmos. Rocky was the youngest child of William H. Balsom and Effie J. Balsom, born at Come By Chance on January 18, 1956. A graduate of Horwood High, he pursued post-secondary studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Queens University, Kingston, ON. During his early years after graduation, he was employed in municipal planning, by the St John’s Metropolitan Board and the City of St. John’s. He also worked casually in the St. John’s night club scene, often as a bartender. He was known to have a style and presence that was his own, and he surely enjoyed the downtown night life. Rocky began his grand scale adventures with a new employment direction. He embarked on a world tour of sorts, supported by teaching jobs in many exotic and sometimes less exotic locations. His first teaching job enabled him to learn about and sample the lifestyle and culture of South Korea. He went next to the Hidden Kingdom which we know today as China. After employment in a number of different cities and extensive personal travel in Asia and Africa, Rocky looked closely at other destinations in Africa and the Middle East. His final employment took him again to Asia, this time to Mandalay, Myanmar. His service in Myanmar was cut short by the COVID pandemic, and he returned to what he called affectionately “the homeland”, the cove in Trinity Bay. After a medical diagnosis identifying critical neurological issues, Rocky was placed at the O’Mahoney Manor in Clarenville. His time at the Manor beginning in Fall 2024 was sometimes tumultuous and difficult but in spite of himself, he was both well cared for and liked by staff at the Manor. They served him well, even when he was difficult. And now, he has left us all forever… Many people touched Rocky’s life as did he touch many. His special friend, Wendy Mugford, aided and abetted him in his great adventures and sometimes accompanied him as well. Tracey-Lee helped him get out of travel crises here and there as needed. And his Favourite Nephew, Edgar Balsom, was an anchor to him in his daily life, upon his return to reside in Clarenville. During his stay at G B Cross Memorial Hospital, prior to his transfer to O’Mahoney Manor, Rocky was generally a usual and respected part of daily life there. A life is not a life without affecting many, sometimes obviously sometimes unknowingly. Go well into that dark night brave soul. Do I hear music? Is that Queen? What is that tune! It’s “Another one bites the dust”.
As per Rocky’s wishes, cremation is planned and there will be no service to follow. Donations in Rocky’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army Community Church, Clarenville, NL A5A 4C4.
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