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Roger Belli Obituary
Born to Anna and Guerino Belli on the July 25, 1935 in Meriden, CT, he graduated from Meriden High School class of 1953. With a desire to serve his country, Roger enlisted in the US Army at eighteen, where he served a distinguished career for 30 years, including a year (1968-1969) of duty in Vietnam. Early in his career while stationed in Omaha, NE, he met and married the woman of his dreams, Barbara Ann Edmunds. She served along with him throughout numerous moves and assignments during his career, as a devoted wife and mother to their 3 children.
Roger was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to all he crossed paths with. He was tall and handsome; his smile and soft nature were magnetic and once you knew him, you had a friend for life.
Roger was a dedicated soldier who loved his country and served with honor, earning the U.S. Army's highest enlisted rank as well as numerous awards, unit citations and medals including the Bronze Star. Retiring in 1983 as Command Sergeant Major of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
He enjoyed golfing, traveling and being with family and friends. He enjoyed a second career with Bank of America becoming a branch manager in Niceville, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 50 years Barbara, oldest son Keith Martin, and his siblings Emma (Belli) McBride, Henry (Hank) Belli, Elizabeth (Belli) McBride, Mary (Belli) O'Brien and George Belli.
Left to cherish his memory are his son Kevin Mark, Kevin's two sons, Keaton and Casey, Casey's wife Chelsea and their daughter Ava Grace; daughter Kim Marie, her husband CJ Strait, their daughter Tonja Ja Net, husband Jerome Woody and their 3 children along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends.
The family wishes to thank all the passionate and dedicated staff at ActivCare @ Bressi Ranch Residential Memory Care in Carlsbad CA for their excellent care.
A service with full military honors will take place at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Belli
6 Entries
Sheila Del Favero Leighton
January 4, 2023
Will always remember watching him compete in the soapbox derby as we cheered him on at the bottom of Columbus Ave.
Sheila Leighton
January 16, 2021
A cousin remembered as he raced in his homemade go-cart, past his home on Columbus Ave, competing in the Annual Soap Box Derby. Having won the competition he continued on to Ohio. It was an exciting time for all of us. Years later, Roger's niece, Betty & Ray's daughter, was flower girl in my wedding. Having lived on Hemlock Road, we would cut through the field to visit with Aunt Anna, Uncle John & all the family.
Bill D'antico
January 11, 2021
a good man indeed. I remember him as my neighbor back in my childhood on Columbus ave in Meriden Conn. He gave me my first bike ride down our steep hill on the handlebars of his bike and what a thrill ride it was. May GOD keep him safe
John Youngu
January 10, 2021
I remember Roger from our Meriden days, graduating from Meriden High in 1954. Roger will always be remembered for winning Meriden’s 1st Soap Box Derby, racing down the East Main Street hill to victory and a place in the National’s in Akron, Ohio.
Thank you Roger for serving your Country with honor and dignity.May your Soul rest in God’s eternal peace!
Sincerely,
John A.Young
Cromwell, Ct
Cleo Allgood
January 10, 2021
Roger and Barbara were dear friends of my late husband Jerry and I. We were stationed at WRAMC together and had lots of fun times. One of my favorite stories about that time is one day Jerry and Roger were out visiting the post operations and they went to the bowling alley---now, Jerry was the Chief of Staff and Roger was the CSM--well that carried no weight at the bowling alley, but the name Allgood did because the manager said "I know Bradley Allgood" and Jerry said "that's my son". Bradley was 11 yrs old but spent time at the bowling alley---on leagues, as well as practicing and getting pointers when he had a chance and the alley wasn't busy. Jerry and Roger did have to laugh about that----that an 11 yr. old was well known, but the Chief of Staff and CSM were unknown-----at least at the bowling alley!
We kept in touch with Roger and Barbara many years and visited when we could. After Jerry died in 2014, I sort of lost contact with Roger as he had moved to California.
Thanks to Kevin for picking up on an email I sent to Roger sometime ago and bringing me up to date.
You are missed, Roger.
Gary and Sally Bergeron
January 10, 2021
A TRUE PATRIOT
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