Richard L Bellenoit

Richard L. Bellenoit, formerly of Hilton Ave, Worcester, passed away peacefully April 7, 2021, surrounded by his loving children.  He was 89 years old.  Richard was predeceased by his devoted wife of 62 years, Noella A. (Lemay) Bellenoit.  He was the son of Oscar and M. Albina (Cote) Bellenoit and brother to the late Raymond Bellenoit and Lucille Schendel. He is survived by his three daughters, Cynthia Berman and her husband Barry of Boxford, Lisa Pardo and her husband Rick of Plymouth, Nancy Levenson and her life partner Stan Thurley of Naples, FL, and his son, Steven and his wife Carole of Waterford, NY.  He is also survived by six grandchildren who adored him, Adam Berman and his wife Sondria of Lynnfield, Ashley Waxman and her husband Adam of Boxford, Stevie and Caitlin Bellenoit of Waterford, NY, Joshua Levenson of Bangkok, Thailand and Sarah Levenson of Philadelphia, PA as well as by five great grandchildren, Sasha and Kira Berman of Lynnfield and Nathaniel, Samantha and Alexandra Waxman of Boxford. 

Richard was born in Worcester.  He was Baptized, Confirmed and Married to his childhood sweetheart, Noella, at St. Joseph’s Church on Hamilton Street.  His faith and his parish were very important to him.  He served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, was a member of the Parish Council and Finance Committees, was involved in the restoration of the church buildings and parish school, where his children attended, and was also instrumental in the formation of the Charismatic Prayer Group at the parish.  When St. Joseph’s Parish closed, he became a devoted parishioner at Our Lady of Loreto Church where he served as co-chairman for many years of the Parish Partners in Charity Campaign.  He remained an active congregant at Our Lady of Loreto Church until moving to Chelsea eight years ago with his wife to be closer to his children.

Besides his extensive involvement in both Parishes, he was also very involved in civic activities.  He was very proud to have been a Candidate for the Worcester City Council in 1963 where he had been recruited and endorsed by the Citizens Plan E Association.  He was also a member of the City’s Off-Street Parking Board to which he had been appointed by the then City Manager and was ultimately appointed Chairman of the Board.   In 1989, he was presented a “Key to the City” and was given a formal citation by the Worcester City Counsel for his 26 years of exemplary civic service to the City of Worcester.

Richard was employed as Assistant Treasurer and Purchasing Manager at Johnson Steel & Wire Company for over 30 years until the company closed and ultimately retired from Worcester Manufacturing Company where he oversaw all financial aspects of the organization.

Richard was an active reservist in the U.S. Navy and received an honorable discharge for his honest and faithful service in 1959.  He was a true patriot, in the most revered sense of the word, and his country was very important to him.  He is remembered to have marched around the house on many Sunday mornings listening to and singing along (loudly) to military and marching-type music.  Even as he aged, music from a military band brought him to his feet.

Richard was a devoted husband, a loving, kind and generous father to his children and a mentor to many.  He will be dearly missed.

A PRIVATE viewing and funeral service for Richard will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery.  For those that would like to view his services via livestream, please visit www.mercadantefuneral.com, click on LIVE SERVICES at the top of the funeral browser at 9:30 am on Monday. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family has asked that you consider making a donation in his name to: Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, 165 Captains Row, Chelsea, MA 02150.