Stephen-Belson-Obituary

Stephen Elliot Belson

New York, New York

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New York, New York

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Free Spirit Found a Calling
Stephen E. Belson, 51, had different nicknames from different stages of his life. At Rockaway Beach, where he worked after college as a lifeguard, he was known as Bells. But at the fire station on West 31st Street in Manhattan where he spent most of his career as a firefighter, he was given the title "Mr. Ladder 24."

"He was our ambassador, so to speak," said John Montani, another firefighter in Ladder Company 24. Firefighter Belson attended all the functions, was always available for holiday duty and could back a fire engine into a station in five seconds flat. His last job was as a driver for one of the battalion chiefs, Orio J. Palmer. Both rushed to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11; neither returned.

Before he joined the department, Firefighter Belson was something of a beach bum, a surfer, a devotee of the Grateful Dead and Hot Tuna, or as one friend said, a free spirit. Then, one day, he and his lifeguard buddies decided to get real jobs. "We took the Fire Department tests on a lark, and found a calling," said John Maguire, who is now chief of Battalion 54.

Firefighter Belson who grew up in Flushing, Queens, moved to Rockaway Beach, bought a house and fit right into the tightknit community of firefighters and police officers. Unlike many of his neighbors, he wasn't Irish or Roman Catholic. But that made no difference. "While he was Jewish, he was considered one of them," said his mother, Madeline Brandstadter. "They even named a beach after him: Bells's Beach."

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Not sure what to say?

He would talk to me he was like a mentor always calm and cool make me feel always with a good word it's like a big brother I don't know what else to say oh my God

You are never forgotten. Your life, your courage, and your service are celebrated today. May the joy you brought to others during your years on earth, provide peace and comfort. Rest in peace

Remembering Stephen on the anniversary of 9/11.....

He was a vibrant presence at Lehman college during the early '70's. He and the rest of his buff swim team buddies would hang out on the hill surrounding the baseball field after their grueling workouts ended and made fun of us skinny track guys as we did our laps around the field. He was always easy to get long with, quick with a joke and an all around good guy. I lost track of him after college. Last summer we revisited Rockaway and saw the street sign with his name on it. I was moved...

RIP to a brave firefighter. And thanks for serving a prestigious fire department in NYC.

My single name is Belson - born in London, UK, now living in Israel. Saw your name on the 9/11 Memorial in Jerusalem, Israel, where I live. Wondered whether we stem from the same family! Whether or not, you and so many of your buddies heroically gave their lives in this terrible tragedy. May you rest in everlasting peace!

I am a firefighter's wife in Colorado and was humbled to climb 110 flights of stairs in Stephen's honor at the Red Rocks 9/11 Stair Climb this year. "We climb because they climbed". We will never forget the tremendous sacrifice you and your family made.

Remembered. Thank you for your service. Your courage and your sacrifice. May God bless your family with peace.

Just completed a 5K Run/Walk for the fallen in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin. We drew badges of our fallen hero's from 9/11/2001. My badge was Firefighter Stephen E Belson Ladder 24. It was an honor to walk in memory of Firefighter Belson. Never Forgotten. God's Blessings. Nichole