James Balatsos

James Balatsos, 69, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ.

Relatives and friends are invited gather at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, NJ on Thursday, October 16 where an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield.

Born in Newark, NJ, James was raised in Kearny, NJ and later lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL before moving to Kenilworth, NJ twenty years ago.

He was a graduate of Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.

Jim, along with his partner Michele operated under the banner Comedy Unlimited. They were largely responsible for the proliferation of comedy seen across the Tri State in the early 80’s and 90’s. They operated comedy shows in dozens of clubs, restaurants and colleges and were part owners/operators of The Eddie Murphy Comedy Club at the Sands Casino AC eventually becoming owner and operators of the Comic Strip Comedy Club of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Jim was planning a return to his roots and a most fulfilling role to comedy production at the time of his untimely death.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Michele (Merrigan) Balatsos,  one sister, Alexandra Zazanis and her husband, John.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leonidas and Doris (Hall) Balatsos.

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