New York, New York
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."
We met92nd on the boardwalk and from 6:00 became good friends I was a lot younger than he was he's like a mentor a big brother who's a good guy I never forgot bells he's something else
Michael J Mooney
June 10, 2025 | Friend
Bells, a lifelong friend....the navigator, the music man, the king of fun, a shoulder at times, a hero through and through, while protecting the beaches of Rockaway or the safety of those in Manhattan. You will long be remembered my friend.
Marina Callaghan
October 18, 2024 | Friend
My name is Nazareth Rivera, I am a 12 year old 7th grader that goes to the school of Woodglen. I just wanted to thank you for the service that you gave to this country. I am not an American but I live in this country and you have stood out to me out of all the people I read about. May you be remembered by others for the great service that you have given and for the people that you helped. Rest in peace.
Nazareth Rivera
September 11, 2024 | Califon, Lebanon TWP, NJ | Student
Stephen, Thank you. You are remembered. Your life, your courage, and your sacrifice are celebrated. May the Lord bless your family and friends with peace and comfort today. And may memories of you provide laughter and smiles to those missing you most. Rest in peace American hero
Thankful American
September 11, 2024
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
Joe Mooney
September 13, 2023 | Rockaway Beach, NY | Neighbor
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
September 11, 2023 | FL
Remembering Stephen on the anniversary of 9/11.....
Cindy Roe
September 01, 2021 | Galesburg, MI
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...
Ken Rolston
September 11, 2020 | Mt. Vernon, NY | Classmate
RIP to a brave firefighter. And thanks for serving a prestigious fire department in NYC.
August 24, 2019