Balatskov-Podolskov Viatcheslav Matveyevich (Slava) passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on September 10, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

 

Slava was born on May 20, 1946, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He graduated from both music and mathematics schools in Baku before moving to Minsk, Belarus, where he pursued studies at the Medical Institute. He later continued his education at the Electrotechnical Institute of Communications.

 

Slava led a rich and eventful life. He served in the Soviet Army, where he worked in communications and played in the orchestra. He also spent six months working on the Baikal-Amur Mainline, returning with incredible stories of Siberian life—such as encounters with a hungry bear in early spring and meeting local people deep within the taiga.

 

Later in life, Slava worked in the manufacturing of scientific and medical instruments. However, those who knew him well were aware of his deep passion for poetry. He wrote poems throughout his life, and his family and friends were always blessed with new verses at every celebration.

 

Visiting hours in the Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St, Newton on Friday, September 13 from 12-2pm immediately followed by reception in Haywood House function room at 111 John F Kennedy Cir, Newton.