Jose Luis Balbona, M.D.

Dr. Jose Luis Balbona passed away peacefully in bed on July 22nd 2023, his 92nd birthday. Jose was a loving husband and father, a devout Catholic, a dedicated psychiatrist and truly one of a kind. To friends and family, he was always “Peque”. His unique sense of humor brought immense joy into the lives of countless people. Peque was very kind, generous and caring. He always had time to listen to and console individuals in crisis. He will be greatly missed and the world is a lesser place without him. 

In 1936, when the Spanish Revolution began, his family fled his birthplace Gijón, a seaside city in northern Spain and relocated to Havana, Cuba. While in Havana, he attended Colegio de Belén, a Jesuit Preparatory School, where he met his future wife, Virginia. He attended the University of Havana School of Medicine and received his Medical Degree. While at university he joined the Marian congregation, Agrupación Católica Universitaria (ACU). Later, he would be instrumental in the foundation and growth of the ACU Atlanta group. In 1960, shortly after the end of the Cuban Revolution, Jose would flee Cuba to the United States with his own family: his wife Virginia and two young daughters, Virginia and Maria Teresa. He would soon get a job working in Milledgeville, Georgia at Central State Hospital, the largest mental institution in the world at the time. He completed his residency at Emory University. In Atlanta, Jose (a psychiatrist) and Virginia (a psychologist) started their own private practice and expanded the family to include three sons, Eduardo, Jose, and Jorge as well as a niece, Virgilu.

Eventually, Jose and Virginia relocated to Dublin Georgia, where they both worked at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. They found a home and happiness in Dublin. Peque dubbed Dublin: “The Capital of the World”.

Jose was predeceased by his loving wife, Virginia Balbona. He is survived by his children Virginia Balbona, Maria Teresa Balbona, Eduardo Balbona, Jose Balbona and Jorge Balbona as well as seven grandchildren. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on August 26th2023 at 11am. 1559 US-441, Dublin, GA 31021. Followed by a small reception. Another Memorial Service will be held at Ignatius House on October 13th 2023 at 1PM. 6700 Riverside Drive NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Followed by a small reception.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jose Luis Balbona, M.D., please visit our floral store.