John J. Belli

FITCHBURG -- John J. Belli, 77, of Fitchburg, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, in UMass Medical Center, Lake Avenue, Worcester, after an illness.

He was born on Oct. 20, 1927, in Fitchburg, the son of Nazzareno and Maria (Antonioni) Belli and lived here in Fitchburg all of his life. Mr. Belli was a foundry engineer for Wollaston Alloys in Braintree for 21 years and then served as a consultant there for three years before he retired in 1988. He also owned and managed several rental properties in the area with the help of his family. As a quiet and giving person he had helped a co-worker by the name of Dhirendra Sharama from India join his family here in Fitchburg to live with them until Sharama could earn enough to send for his family who were living in India at the time. His quiet acts of generosity will be missed by all those who knew him. He enjoyed spending time with family, loved ballroom dancing and his garden. He served in the Army post-World War II. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fitchburg.

He leaves his wife of 18 years, Josephine M. (Rizzo) Sisoian Belli; his children, John A. and his wife Joyce Belli, Peter J. and his wife Kip Belli, Michael S. and his wife Twila Belli, Paul J. and his wife Joanne Belli, all of whom live in Fitchburg, Mary T. and her husband Matthew McFadden of Lunenburg, and their mother, Theresa (Posco) Belli-Murchie of Fitchburg; step-children, John M. Sisoian of Fitchburg, Donna M. Sisoian of Fitchburg, Nancy A. Tiggs of Gardner and Marie A. and her husband Les Ricks of Leominster; three sisters, Josephine Belli of Leominster, Catherine M. Pandiscio of Wayland and Mary Ann Cormier of Leominster; 25 grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. Another daughter Angela (Belli) Bourque pre-deceased him in 1982, and his brother Dino M. Belli of California pre-deceased him in 2003.

BELLI -- A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 123 Salem St., Fitchburg. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Fitchburg. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Xaverian Missionary Sisters of Mary, 242 Salsbury St., Worcester, MA 01608. The Lavery-Chartrand Funeral Home, 99 Summer St., Fitchburg, is directing the arrangements.