Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Richard T. Bellitto, 80, residing in Sandusky, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022, at Firelands Regional Medical Center after a courageous fight with lung cancer.
Rich was born on September 25, 1942, in Cleveland, OH to the late Sam P. and Lena (Fazio) Bellitto. Rich was a true Cleveland boy through and through, being raised in an Italian neighborhood.
Rich graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland. He was an Army Veteran who proudly served his country from 1962 to 1964 and was a decorated marksman. While in Cleveland, he worked for Prudential Insurance and Pepsi Cola Company. He later moved to Sandusky and owned and operated a full-service gas station on the west end. He was employed as a welder and safety instructor at New Departure Hyatt GM until his early retirement, earning recognition as a highly skilled and respected welder. Richard was a member of the NRA, Ohio Gun Collectors Association, and a former member of the Eagles and UAW.
He was known for his Italian style and fashion sense, always dressed to the nines wearing his Italian Borsellino hat. Rich "Easy" enjoyed staying active, playing tennis, and riding his bike or motorcycle. He was a fantastic dancer, loved music and making people laugh. He was a taekwondo brown belt and took sign language, public speaking, and pottery classes. "Mr. B" coached "The Industrial Nuts" girls' softball team and was a parent host for "Up With People". He also loved animals and enjoyed living in Bayview for many years. He was a talented sign painter and wood sign designer, who enjoyed welding sculptures. He owned and operated "Brass Cat Antiques" in Sandusky, and had a blast traveling to different antique events, including Jamie's Flea Market, making friends wherever he went. He was a wealth of knowledge in antiques, art, pottery, guns, and history. He was an avid gun enthusiast, attended gun shows, and was well-known for having an amazing toy gun collection. He enjoyed cruising in his 1972 triple-white boattail Riviera "Pearl" for 30 years. He was charismatic, fun, and always looking for the next crazy adventure. He enjoyed dining out and made friends in many different restaurants from Catawba to Cleveland. Rich was a loving father, and grandfather, and served Erie County as a foster parent.
Rich is survived by his wife, Terri (Wilcox) Bellitto, whom he married on October 10, 2020; three beautiful children, Christina (Daniel) Ashakih of Norwalk, Theresa (Kent) Bridgett of Norwalk, and Anthony (Dusti) Bellitto of Grand Rapids, MI; six grandchildren, Jasmine, Nicholas (Mary), Dmitri, Christian, Roman and Angela; one great-granddaughter, Arabella; adoring nieces Leslie, Marie, Lena, Gina and Lissa, and other beloved relatives; cats, Boo-Boo and Clip, and birds, Sugar, Baby and Dandi; and best friend James (Theresa) Consolo of Huron.
In addition to his parents, Rich is preceded in death by the mother who raised him, Angeline Bellitto; two brothers, Ralph (Boots) Bell and Sam Bellitto; nephew, Christopher Bell; and his children's mother, Sylvia C. Bellitto.
Friends may call on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 10:00 am until the time of Memorial Services at 11:00 am at Faith Church, 1320 E. Strub Rd., Sandusky with Rev. Harry Hunt presiding. Military honors and luncheon will follow at the church. At the request of the family, masks will be required for the visitation and service to protect the health of elderly family members. For those who are not able to attend in person, the live stream for the service will be found at: facebook.com/ServiceRichardTBellitto.
Those wishing to contribute to Richard's memory may do so to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516
