Jeffrey Whitcomb Ballard was born on February 1st, 1967, in Bryn Mawr PA, the son of loving parents Alan A. Ballard and Judith C. Ballard of Moultonborough, NH. He is survived by his wife Kathleen A. Ballard, son Nolan W. Ballard, daughters Kyra A. and Emma T. Ballard of Upton, MA, and sister Elizabeth K. Ballard of Sarasota, FL.

He was a member of the class of 1984 at The Haverford School, where he played varsity baseball and squash. Despite a penchant for setting off fireworks at school and other hijinks, Jeff graduated with a reputation as someone who knew when to have fun and when it was time to get his work done.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Colgate University in 1988. While at Colgate, he continued to play squash, where teammates describe him as “strangely weightless on the court…always in perfect position to slam home a put away shot. The boy could not dance, but on a squash court he was grace with a racquet.”  The friendships he made at Colgate were lifelong, as his core group of friends met up every year for their annual golf outing back on campus, an event Jeff never missed in twenty-one years.

After successfully completing his formal education, he moved to Boston where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Ann Gorman. They were married in 1997, and live with their three children in Upton, MA.

He began his career at Staples, and was most recently the Director of Strategic Accounts at Highlands. He also spent part of his career at  Thinq.com and LSC Communications.

He was known for his acerbic wit and keeping others on their toes. No youth referee escaped unscathed from his running commentary on the sidelines. He enjoyed watching his children play sports and coaching their teams.

His enduring love for listening to blues, jazz, folk, classic rock, and anything released pre-1990 was well-known, unlike the unique music itself.  Passengers in his car would often wonder out loud, “What are we listening to?”

An avid car enthusiast, he had several collectible antique automobiles and enjoyed attending car shows. He took pride in fixing and maintaining the family cars and helping friends with theirs. 

To celebrate and honor Jeff’s memory, the family will host an open house on Saturday, June 26, from 4:00-8:00 PM at their home.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main St. Upton, on Sunday, June 27, at 10:30 AM with a gathering at the Ballard home to follow the service.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Memory of Jeff to Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights; P.O. Box 61, 3000 Creek Rd, Yorklyn, DE 19736.