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FUNERAL HOME

Plaza Jewish Community Chapel

630 Amsterdam Avenue

New York, New York

DAVID BELGRAY Obituary

BELGRAY--David C.,

86, died on July 25th, 2018, surrounded by his family in Torrington, CT. Husband of Alice, father of Laura and Marian, father-in-law of Steven Eckler and Rob Blatt, adoring PopPop of Samson and Elena. Native and lifelong New Yorker, from the Bronx to the Upper Westside. Stationed in Hawaii in the Army, with R&R in Japan, he kicked off a passion for new places and people. Long before there was an ancestry.com, he discovered and connected over 2000 relatives worldwide, finding cousins in Israel, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and other far-flung places. His favorite book was the phone book, which he'd open in any city, country, or planet. Any name starting with Bil or Bel was a likely new cousin, and about to get a call. After putting his Columbia University MBA to use in finance and systems at American and Eastern Airlines, he earned a PhD in psychoanalytic psychology and began his life's work as Dr. Belgray. He was the last to leave a party; the first to speak out about mismanagement, injustice, or an item on a bill. He constantly connected with new people and reconnected with friends from as far back as age four. He could say "What is your name" in every language. He loved feelings, genealogy, helping people, Judaica, tradition, speaking Spanish, reading obituaries, rain, an ocean view, wrinkle- free shirts with a pocket, smoked herring and borscht, and, most of all, his family. Services will be held at 11am, Sunday, at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam. Donations in David's memory can be made to The ACLU or Ben-Gurion University, Beersheba, Israel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Jul. 27, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID BELGRAY

Sponsored by marian belgray.

17 Entries

ellen weaver (lederman)

May 9, 2022

for Alice, Laura and Marion- i just discovered that David died- i know it was a few years ago, and don´t know if this will reach you- sending live and condolences , and Alice, i´d love to be in touch 215-510-4572. i´m in Philadelphia

August 22, 2018

Dear Alice:
This is a sad day. I amI sorry to see David leave us. I met David in a senior class at the old CCNY that gave us the opportunity to work for a Professor who had a consulting contract with a major company in Manhattan. Upon graduation we took different roads. From time to time we talked by telephone and mail. Fortunately we met in Seattle and Israel. David was amazing in the development of his career and his side line building his ancestry. I cheshire our memories.
Bruce Gissing Tucson Arizona

Zabrina

August 4, 2018

Im so sorry for your lost May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this time of loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Roberta Haim

August 1, 2018

Dear Alice and Family,

I was very sad to hear of David's passing. He was a good friend to Philip and he was always there for me especially when Philip died. He continued to keep in touch for many years afterwards. He also helped me with my practice by making referrals and I appreciated that so much. I still remember the good time we spent with you at your Connecticut home. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time

Alexander Levi

August 1, 2018

David, if I never knew you, then how come it feels as though a part of me has gone on to join you with your passing? You have the power to connect and bring a smile from beyond this narrow breathtaking bridge of life. For you, I promise to laugh more, love more, reach out to help and joke with more people, and to toss back more herring.
Love to you and your funny family - everywhere!

Betty Brenner

July 30, 2018

We were so sorry to hear this sad news. David brought so many people together and he will be missed. I still remember at the family reunion many years ago how a man said he thought he's lost his entire family in the holocaust until David found him and connected him with family members. Alice, our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. We hope the good memories you have will be a comfort to you.

Love,

Betty and Doug

July 30, 2018

Though I only know Alice from the Belgray family, this wonderful obituary makes me feel I know David without having the pleasure of meeting him.
Ann Levine (Children's Book Committee colleague)

Katrin Belenky Peck

July 29, 2018

Dear Alice,

I recently learned from The NY Times of David's passing, and wanted to send you, Marian and Laura my sincere condolences. You were (and are) one of my favorite singing colleagues in The Brearley Singers, and my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.,

Dana & Danny Lehrman

July 28, 2018

Alice, we're so grateful to have known you both for the past 8 years ago at Lakeridge but rue that we hadn't met sooner.
We'll miss David's intellect, his geneolgical passion, his twinkling eye, and of course that repertoire of jokes May his memory be a blessing.

David Galligan

July 28, 2018

It has been an honour to have known David Belgray for so many years across multiple encounters in different countries, and of course in between times by electronic means. It was particularly wonderful that we got to meet David and Alice during our recent family trip to NY. Our sincerest condolences to Alice, Laura & Marian and to everyone else affected by the loss of this special person.

David & the Galligan Family

Gail Brown

July 27, 2018

So very sorry to hear of David's passing. David was a long time vital founding member of the Center for Group Studies where he brought his combined gifts and talents in business and psychotherapy to expand the breadth of our training. His spirit lives on in our students and our faculty and he will be missed. Deepest condolences to the family.

Jo Belgrave

July 27, 2018

David will be so missed by his family in New Zealand. He was a true taonga, which means treasure in Maori. An inspiration, a thinker, a loving cousin, and a man who knew the answer to just about everything! David, we will never forget you. Aroha nui ki a koe.

Julie Milhofer

July 27, 2018

Dearest Alice, Phil and I are so sorry for your loss! I didn't know David that well but it was a pleasure, the few times I had the chance, to speak with him. He had a great sense of humor! Our deepest condolences for your loss.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Tony Hausner

July 27, 2018

The Skala community mourns his death. We are very grateful for his contributions to our Skala community. May his memory be a blessing

Debbie Rothman

July 27, 2018

So sorry to hear about your loss, Alice. Though I met David only briefly during the Brearley Singers parties at your beautiful apartment, his love for you and support for our musical efforts and camaraderie were abundantly evident. His gentle yet strong personality came through in every word, gesture and expression. If I, having known him so briefly, can form so strong an impression of him and feel that I will miss his presence at future events, I know you and the rest of the family will always remember him and carry him in your hearts.

JRJrv

July 27, 2018

My sympathy to the extended family of David Belgray. May the words recorded at Psalms 145: 18, 19 gives you comfort as you endure this perioid of grief.

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