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MARTIN BELLIS Obituary
MARTIN DOUGLAS BELLIS
It is with great sorrow that the family of Martin Douglass "Doug" Bellis of Washington, DC announces his passing on Monday, October 15, 2018. Doug was born in Penn Yan, New York on March 25, 1947. He graduated with Honors from Cornell University in 1968 with a double major in Government and Greek and Latin Classics, Language and Literature, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the Duke University School of Law in 1971. Since 1971, Doug worked at the Office of Legislative Counsel, United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC, rising from Assistant Counsel to Deputy Legislative Counsel and then Senior Counsel. He was universally recognized by legislative experts for his intellectually rigorous approach to legislative drafting and for his encyclopedic knowledge of court cases related to the Congress and its powers. For almost 30 years, Doug also served as Advisor to the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, consulting with foreign parliamentary bodies regarding strengthening of their parliamentary institutions in the context of increased democratic participation in government. Since 2008, Doug also served as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University. Throughout his life, he pursued his passionate intellectual curiosity about science, religion, philosophy, law, history and music. Doug is survived by his beloved wife Suzanne Bellis, his brother Vincent (Ann) Bellis, his daughters Margaret (Andrew) English and Elizabeth (Josh) Wolfe, Mathew (Sara) English and Bradley English, and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chapel of the Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street SE, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Martin Douglass Bellis may be made to Medstar Washington Hospitals Center's heart transplant program. Please send your gift to Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Office of Philanthropy, 11 Irving St. NW, East Building Suite 1001, Washington, DC 20010.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MARTIN BELLIS
Maurice Barboza
May 13, 2024
Doug Bellis was the real thing. As counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, I worked with Doug on legislation for 5 years in the early 1970s. I am honored to call him an advisor and friend. He had a brilliant mind and a kindness to match. I don't think anyone, witness or staff, had ever received a sincere round of applause from 40 committee members after explaining a complex issue that seemed to stump everyone. Doug did!
Sophie, RN
October 31, 2018
It was a pleasure to take care of Mr. Bellis on 2NE while he awaited his transplant. And it was nice getting to know you, Suzanne. Please know you and Mr. Bellis are in our thoughts. Thank you for letting us take care of him.
October 19, 2018
My sincere condolences. May the God of all comfort strengthen you all during this difficult time. Rom 15:4
JD
JMS
October 18, 2018
May God give you the comfort and strength you need during this most difficult time.
October 18, 2018
My sincere condolences to family and friends. May God sustain you at this time of such great loss (Psalms 94:19.
October 18, 2018
So sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort comfort you during this difficult time
Dorothy
October 18, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 comfort your family.
October 17, 2018
May the hope of everlasting life sustain and comfort you and your family as you mourn the passing of your love one. Sorry for your loss.
October 17, 2018
Please accept my sincere condolences to the family
and friends. Losing a loved one in death is never easy.
May the hope of everlasting life sustain and comfort you during this difficult time. (John 17:3).
October 17, 2018
My condolences to the family. May the peace of God and the fond memories you cherish comfort and sustain you in your time of need.
-RM
Missy
October 17, 2018
Please accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences at this time of your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1, 2
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DeVol Funeral Home - Washington2222 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20007
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