Obituary of John Belch

John F. Belch, 62, a lifetime resident of Hyde Park, NY, died January 5, 2009. Mr. Belch was employed as an elevator repairman for the IUEC Local 138. He worked for Otis Elevator, Westinghouse Elevators and Schindler Elevator, retiring in August 2004. He was a member of the Pirate Canoe Club, 110 Rod and Gun Club and Marist Red Fox Club. He was the chairman of the Green Fields Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Mr. Belch served his country in the United States Navy, where he served on the USS Gyatt. He was a parishioner of St. Peter's Church, where he was an usher for the 9 am Mass. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching Marist Basketball. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, on September 29, 1947, he was the son of Joseph Belch, Sr. and Josephine Tancredi Belch. He attended Spackenkill High School and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School. On September 18, 1971, he married JoAnne Droney at St. John the Baptist Church, Poughkeepsie. Mrs. Belch survives him at home. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Cindy Belch VanDermark and her husband, Thomas, of Hopewell Junction, NY; three grandchildren, Brianna, Kyle, and Jake VanDermark; brother, Ronald Belch and his wife, Lucille, of Daphney, AL; sister-in-law, Karen Kara and her husband, Theodore, of Hyde Park, NY; nephews, Theodore Kara, Jr. and Todd Kara; and his aunt, Edmee' Ranieri of Hyde Park, NY. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Belch, Jr. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 2-6 pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 11, 2010, 10:00 am, at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of St. Peter's Church. Father James A. Garisto will officiate. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Salt Point Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY. Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY; or to the American Cancer Society, 2678 South Road, Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.