John “Jack” Bellinger passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 14, 2024. He was born to Willis and Gertrude (Dragon) Bellinger on December 24, 1934, in Pittsfield.
Jack graduated from St. Joe’s High School and then later went on to serve in the Navy during the Korean War. After completing his service in the Navy, he started his employment with Harland B. Foster, responsible for heating and cooling services for businesses and residences throughout Berkshire County for over 40 years. He later took over cell-tower support in Berkshire County, working into his 70s.
Jack Bellinger has been a member of Christ Trinity Church since the early 1980s and was a very active member to the present day. He served on the Vestry, and as head of the Property Committee, he installed the heating and air conditioning systems in the church. He loved participating in Breaking Bread and even did an annual run to the Cape for clams to sell at the Parish Fair. He managed the renovation of the Rectory eight years ago. Jack never stopped serving with joy. The Church will always consider him and his wife Pia the pillars of the church.
Jack was an excellent cook; some of his famous dishes were his chili, spaghetti sauce, and homemade bread-and-butter pickles. Jack was a lover of nature, clams, oysters, fly fishing on the Cape, chopping wood, and gardening at his homestead. He loved feeding his grandkids’ poptarts to his beloved Jack Russells, Tinker Bell and Peter Pan, and always found a way to be outside and in touch with nature.
He is predeceased by both his parents, his sister Joan Matthews, and his son Richard “Dickie” Bellinger. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years Pia Bellinger (Guerra); his sister Lynne Bean; his children, Michael Bellinger, Mark and his wife Heather Bellinger, and Nancy Sherman (Bellinger); and his three stepdaughters, Susan Martin, Elaine and Robert Leichter, and Joanne and Doug Cahill. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Jack’s family wants to thank the staff at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for all their kindness and attention to make a very difficult time easier. A special thanks to Dr. Wilson, who guided the family compassionately through the final days; Ahmad the resident doctor; and Jack’s many nurses, including Morgan, Fawn, Charles, and Sam.
The family also wants to give a HUGE and loving thank you to Maggie Carroll for all she has done for Jack and continues to do for Pia. They loves you and you will always be a part of their family.
Services will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the Christ Trinity Church, with burial to follow at the Christ Trinity Cemetery, 180 Main Street, Sheffield MA 01257. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield. Donations may be sent directly to the church, online, or in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family, visit the funeral home’s website.
