Robert Bellas

Robert D. Bellas, 81, of Ashley, entered into eternal rest on Sunday at Edenbrook at Hampton, Hanover Twp.

Born in Kingston on Aug. 5, 1944, he was the son of the late Howard & Alice (McDermott) Bellas.

He was a graduate of Kingston High School. He was employed by Power Engineering, and then he worked for over 30 years as the supervisor of refrigeration and air conditioning at the State Correctional Institute, Dallas, until his retirement.

He was a member of St. Leo the Great Church in Ashley and of its Knights of Columbus Council #12089.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. He was a proud father to all of his fur babies. He was a die-hard New York Yankees and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fan. You could always find Bob with his son Jared, sharing an ice cream in the stands. In his younger years, he was an avid softball player, and he served as an umpire and coach for several youth sports. He loved to golf with his many friends, and he was a founding member of the Bellas Charity Golf Tournament in memory/honor of his son, Michael, with one of his closest friends, Ray Ostroski. Bob loved a good book, John Wayne, history, a cigar, a cold beer (or two), and a slice of coconut cake.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Michael Bellas; father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Geraldine Okuniewski; brothers-in-law, Jack Devers and Joseph Napolsky; sister-in-law, Diane Okuniewski; and close family friend, Kathleen Galardi.

Surviving is his loving wife of 48 years, Deborah Bellas; daughters, Jodi Deluca (Brian) and Casey Bellas-Simko (John); son, Jared Bellas; granddaughters, Kayla Basehore and Sookie Morgan Simko; brothers, William Bellas (Gloria) and Allen Bellas (Nancy); sister, Alice Devers; sisters-in-law, Mary Napolsky and Paulette Gately; brothers-in-law, Lenny Okuniewski (Linda) and Keith Okuniewski (Nichole); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Wednesday in St. Leo the Great Parish, with the Rev. Vincent Dang officiating. Entombment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Twp.

Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to service time.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Edenbrook at Hampton and to Hospice of the Sacred Heart for the care and compassion they provided Bob.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's name to a charity of the donor's choice.

Funeral arrangements are by George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 105 N. Main St., Ashley.