Roy Belyea

Roy Belyea

Piermont, NH - Roy Robert Belyea, 78, Piermont, NH, passed away suddenly on November 1, 2025, at his home. He was born to loving parents, Ronald 'Babe' and Esther Jane (Anderson) Belyea, on May 5, 1947, in Warren, NH.

He graduated from Orford High, joined the US Navy, and was stationed on the carrier USS Ranger. As one always looking for a new adventure, he was quick to volunteer and saw duty in Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, as well as aboard ship. Following his discharge, he worked in many capacities, such as a logger, carpenter, ice cream delivery driver, and others. While working for the US Forest Service in the '70s, marking timber and maintaining trails, he was given the opportunity to join their Wildfire team. He fought fires in Virginia, Michigan, and Big Sur, California, with them.

For many years, he drove trucks for Pike Industries, which meant winters off to have fun and look for other part-time endeavors. Those jobs included delivering fuel for Perry's Oil and long-haul trucking, for one winter only, because it took too much time away from his young family.

While recovering from a work-related back injury in the early '90s, he was advised to walk. Too boring! He asked if hiking would be allowed and was told flat terrain would be fine. He completed the NH 4000 footers and those in Vermont and Maine, as well, in 2 years. People learned to never ask him about an "easy hike," as his recommendations and their abilities were rarely a match.

His search for a new career that would not require much 'sit' time led him to CRREL in Hanover. a job and people he enjoyed. And new experiences! He requested an opportunity to be a part of SHEBA, a global warming research project in the Arctic. He spent 6 weeks on a Canadian ice breaker, frozen in an ice pack above the Arctic Circle, monitoring several projects. As always, he made lifelong friends who shared his love of hard work, excitement, and laughter. He later became part of the cleanup from Hurricane Katrina, leading a team assigned to remove damaged or potentially dangerous trees in Mississippi.

Following his retirement, he and his wife of 53 years, Eileen, were able to enjoy longer trips, completing their quest of visiting all 48 contiguous states in 2012 with a Northwest destination. He had already checked off Hawaii and Alaska. It was to include as many Canadian Provinces and US National Parks as possible. As Roy was not one to stick to a plan (where was the adventure in that?) reservations were out of the question. Great memories were made.

He served on the Piermont Fire Dept. for many years and as Deputy Warden and then, Fire Warden.

Roy is remembered as one always ready to help, completing any task, and is a really good guy.

Roy loved his family, his friends, especially the Coffee Club, his community, his chainsaws, ice cream, sharing the harvest from his garden, visits to Robie's Roost, fishing, moose hunting (scoring NH's largest in 2001), travel, seafood, trips to the ocean, his 4-legged pals, and, most importantly, helping others.

He was predeceased by a brother, Craig Belyea, a nephew, Clayton Belyea, brothers-in-law Dwight and Bryan Robie, and a sister-in-law, Carol Robie. Roy is survived by his wife, daughter Susan, son Jared, brothers Jeff (Betty) and Jay (Judy) Belyea, and stepmother Judy Belyea also, Deb Robie, Scott Robie, and his companion, Sheryl, Joan Robie-Dieter (Paul), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will be no services. Please remember Roy with kind deeds for others. Donations in his memory may be made to the Piermont Fast Squad, or Piermont Fire Dept, or a charity of your choice.

To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com

Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.