George Balabushka was born in Russia in 1912 and emigrated to the United States in 1924. His family, parents Anton and Natalie and younger sister Mary, settled in New York City. Although originally named Gregory, as is the case with so many, he was given a new first name, George, by emigration officials when he was processed through Ellis Island. He was known throughout his life as a quiet, reflective man.[1]

Balabushka’s first job was as a wooden toy designer and maker in Manhattan. He later graduated to building children's furniture for the Playtime Woodworking Company located in Greenwich Village. Unfortunately, Balabushka lost his middle finger in an electrical saw accident on the job, and made himself a replacement plastic finger from a wooden mold of such craftsmanship that even his friends did not realize his loss until long after the incident.[1]

It was while working in the Village that he met his wife Josephine, a neighborhood resident. They were married in 1941, and bought a home in Brooklyn several years later. Josephine and George had two sons, Gregory and George, both named after their father.

Although busy with work and family life, Balabushka was an avid billiards player, especially of the game of straight pool, taking part in competitions and spending time with the better known practitioners of the sport. In 1959 he purchased a pool hall with a partner, Frank McGown, which was located in Brooklyn at 50th Street and 5th Avenue. While running the room, he began repairing cues, and it was not long before the idea was sparked to build pool cues himself.