Robert Alexander Bellas

Robert A. Bellas, age 79, Fobes Rd., Morgan Twp., went home to be with the Lord Thursday morning at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born February 1, 1940 in New Haven, CT, the son of the late Benjamin & Helen (Zontock) Bellas.  He was married to Jeanette “Jan” Turner on May 14, 1966 in Cleveland.  Bob was a veteran of the U. S. Marine Corps, serving in the Laos Combat Zone in 1959.

Bob was an upholsterer by trade and also owned and operated the Grand River Canoe Livery.  He and Jan were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Geneva.  He was also a member of the VFW Geneva Post #6846.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and always being with his family.  In his younger years he participated in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, served as Scoutmaster in Painesville and Rock Creek, member of the Knights of Columbus in Lakewood and was very active with canoeing.  He won many national canoeing championships, tried out for the Olympic Team and served as an alternate on the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Canoe Teams.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jeanette “Jan” Bellas; seven children, Robert “Bobby” (Kathy) Bellas of St. Augustine, FL, Bryan (Tracy) Bellas of Geneva, Christine (Jason) Lakomiak of Concord Twp., Brett (Christina) Bellas of Rock Creek, Brad (Elizabeth) Bellas of Colorado Springs, CO, Cheyenne (Kevin) Sterling of Tecumseh, MI & Blane Bellas of Jefferson; 10 grandchildren and a brother, Benjamin Bellas of Greenville, PA.

Services will be held Monday at 6:00 PM at the Jefferson Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson.  Visitation will be from 4-6 PM Monday at the funeral home.  The Fleming & Billman Funeral Homes and staff are privileged to serve the Robert Bellas family.  To view obituary, express condolences, send a flower or light a candle visit fleming-billman.com.

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