Thomas Albert Belshé

1931 - 2024

Thomas Albert Belshé
11/16/1931 - 12/13/2024
Thomas Albert Belshé passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2024, at the age of 93, with family by his side. Tom was a caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, as well as a professional role model and mentor to many. He will be remembered for his unwavering support of his loved ones and his strong sense of self.
Tom was born in Chicago, on November 16, 1931, to Albert Thomas Belshé and Marjorie Baker Belshé. A graduate of Williams College, Class of 1953, Tom was a proud Eph and an athlete who excelled in varsity basketball and golf. After college, Tom moved to Southern California, briefly working for the Wall Street Journal, before embarking on a distinguished career at EF Hutton in San Francisco. Starting as a bond salesman in 1961, Tom rose through the ranks, serving as General Manager of EF Hutton's San Francisco office and the Pacific Northwest Region. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange in the late 1970s. In 1983, Tom was promoted to Executive Vice President and Division Head of Asset Management in New York. After EF Hutton merged with a number of successor companies, he continued his career as an investment advisor, retiring in 2018 from Morgan Stanley after more than five decades in the industry. Tom was an active member of the San Francisco Guardsmen, the San Francisco Golf Club, the Pacific-Union Club, and the Bohemian Grove, where he forged lifelong friendships.
Tom's greatest source of joy was his blended family, with whom he shared, among other things, his love of travel, his keen attention to current events, and his penchant for a cold beer with an ocean view. He regularly impressed his children with his ability to run into someone he knew almost anywhere in the world, invariably extending a confident hand and a warm smile. An avid sports fan, golfer, and bridge player, Tom was a spirited competitor in all things. Whether at the club, or the family card table, he was a formidable opponent and a great partner. To the very end, he was known for his "steel trap" mind and big heart.
Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Mary Reitinger Belshé; their daughters, Kate Belshé (Zach Barkan) and Maggie Belshé (Thomas Smillie); and his children from his first marriage to Corinne Lansill, Dana Thayer (Sydney Thayer), Kim Belshé, and Tom Belshé (Susanne Belshé). He was predeceased by his sister, Judy Belshé Buss. His legacy extends to his seven grandchildren, Sam and Brooke Thayer, Will and Jack Belshé, Lizzie, Emma and Daniel Barkan; and one great-grandchild, Olivia Thayer.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in college, Tom spent more than 70 years of his life managing the disease with resilience and stamina. In lieu of flowers, Tom requested that contributions in his memory be made to Joslin Diabetes Center by https://www.joslin.org/support-joslin/ways-give or by check made payable to "Joslin Diabetes Center" with "in memory of Tom Belshé" in the memo line. Contributions can also be mailed to JDC Gift Processing, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129.