John S. "Guppy" Belechak

John Stephen "Guppy" Belechak, age 64, passed away peacefully in his home on August 3, 2025, surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and favorite dogs. For the last year of his life, he fought a beautiful and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The year was full of love, pain, togetherness, and so much joy-weddings, babies, birthdays, best friends, his care team at UPMC, and family-all things he loved more than life.

John was born in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 1961, to the late Joseph and Mary Belechak. He was the loving brother to six siblings: younger brother to Aimee, Diane, Anita, Mary Jo, and Joe, and older brother to Jude. John's parents instilled in him a devout Catholic faith from the moment he was born. His childhood was defined by family, neighborhood friendships, and playing outside. He was North Braddock's neighborhood paperboy and bought candy at Peggy's Store and glazed donuts at Sam's Bakery. John had a sweet tooth that never wavered, even through his illness, as he regularly enjoyed late-night ice cream and cookies with milk.

At the age of 13, John met the love of his life-his neighbor and classmate, Johnette (Fantaski) Belechak. Their relationship was, and is, out of a storybook. They were each other's first kisses, prom dates, and lifelong best friends. They were devoted partners to each other for 50 years, 35 of which were spent married and raising their four children-their biggest blessings: Lukas Belechak (Daniel Mujica), Peter Belechak (Mary), Olivia Smith (Riley), and Maria Dorman (Bruce). Their strong love weaved through the extended Fantaski and Belechak families, creating a Pittsburgh mega-family full of "cousins." He was so proud to be Uncle Guppy and Godfather to many, always showing up to support his nieces and nephews in their activities and careers.

John was such a great dad. His kids all know how much he loved them. Nothing mattered more to him than their happiness. He adored their spouses like they were his own, and they him. He was so proud of the people his children chose to spend their lives with. He loved being together as a family of 10.

John was a 1979 graduate of St. Thomas High School in Braddock, and, later, graduated from Lock Haven University. His career began in restaurant management at The Italian Oven. During this period of early adulthood, he learned the art of cooking, hospitality, and how to feed 50+ people without breaking a sweat. Well, who are we kidding-he always broke a sweat in the kitchen. He spent the majority of his career-25 years-devoted day in and day out to ChemImage Corporation. He was a mentor and leader, nurturing lasting friendships with countless colleagues who checked in on him until the very end.

John's battle with cancer was rooted in faith. He was a proud member of the Pittsburgh Catholic community. He spent years teaching Children's Liturgy on Sundays at St. Bede. He attended weekly rosary and prayed novenas to Our Mother of Perpetual Help at St. Maurice. Every morning, you could find him with coffee, toast, and a Bible-always surrounded by rosary beads and various booklets about saints that he never finished.

John loved playing and coaching basketball. He begrudgingly stayed true to the Pittsburgh Pirates, bled black and gold for Pittsburgh hockey and football, and was absolutely terrible at golf. He struck three people on the course on separate occasions (elbow, ankle, and chest), for which we apologize on his behalf. Sports brought him many joys, but most of all, he found joy in his friendships. He loved his friends deeply, and they loved him back.

John felt so much support over the last year of his life. He was overwhelmed by weekly texts and phone calls, visitors at chemotherapy, prayer chains, and home-cooked meals. In April 2025, at the PanCan Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer, "Team Guppy" raised over $40,000 for pancreatic cancer research. Guppy was honored to cut the ribbon to kick off the walk. He beamed with pride the entire day, surrounded by his family and friends.

Guppy's family extends their deepest thanks to John's entire care team at UPMC, especially Dr. Vikram Gorantla, MD, and Hannah Peterson, PA-C.

Friends are welcome on Thursday from 2-8pm at Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Turtle Creek / Monroeville Chapel, 1111 Monroeville Ave., Turtle Creek, 412-823-9350.

Mass of Christian Burial will be in St. Maurice Church, Forest Hills (St. Joseph the Worker Parish) on Friday at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica, an organization near to John's heart, at Mustard Seed Communities, 200 Reservoir St., Suite 306, Needham, MA 02494 or www.mustardseed.com.