Dr. Joseph Bellamy

GREENPORT, N.Y. Dr. Joseph Bellamy, 82, longtime resident of Greenport, died Wednesday, October 15, 2003 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. Born December 4, 1920 in London, England, he was educated in England and graduated from King's College and St. George's Hospital Medical School of the University of London in 1943. He enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps in September 1943, saw extensive service in India and Burma during World War II. Discharged in November 1946 with the rank of Captain, he emigrated to the United States. He continued his post-graduate medical studies at New York Hospital, Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, where he was an intern and resident in pathology, Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York City, as a fellow in pathology, and New York University as a research fellow in hematology. Dr. Bellamy came to Hudson in 1952 as the first full-time pathologist and director of laboratories at Columbia Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hospital of Greene County. During his tenure, he brought the laboratories into the modern era of scientific medicine. He lectured in pathology at Albany Medical College from 1952 until 1982 and founded the Columbia County Cancer Detection Laboratory in 1958. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Pathology, a diplomat in forensic pathology and a fellow of both the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. One of the first board-certified forensic pathologists, Dr. Bellamy was the only such specialist in the Hudson Valley north of Westchester until 1990. Throughout his medical career in the area, he also served as coroner's physician and was often an expert witness in forensic medicine. He continued in these capacities after his retirement in 1985 until 1999. He also served as president of the New York State Association of Public Health Laboratories and president of the Columbia County Medical Society. In addition to his professional endeavors, Dr. Bellamy was involved in many community activities, president of the Columbia County Humane Society for 10 years, chair of the Hudson Area Community Chest (now United Way) Professional Campaign and president of the United Jewish Appeal-Hudson Welfare Fund. A life member of Congregation Anshe Emeth, he also served on its board. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Fritzi Ament Bellamy of Hudson; daughter, Marlene and husband Don Maescher of La Jolla, Calif.; granddaughter, Rebecca Hannah Maescher, La Jolla; various nephews and nieces; and numerous cousins in England, Israel and South Africa. Funeral services were held on Friday, October 17 at Congregation Anshe Ameth, Hudson, Rabbi Daniel Fried officiating. Arrangements were made by Bates and Anderson-Redmond Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson.