Eugene De Bellis

DeBellis, Eugene, born January 3, 1927, to Sylvia and Dominick DeBellis, passed away on March 16, 2019. He attended St Lucy's Elementary School, Seton Hall Prep H.S., Attended N.Y.U., and graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.A. in Music Education. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War and was the Conductor for the U.S. Infantry Band in 1950, He was the Director, owner and respected educator at DeBellis School of Performing Arts, 1952-2014. He was Conductor of D.M.S. Alumni Band. He was the Eucharistic Minister and Parish Counsel President of St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church. Eucharistic Minister at St. Philip the Apostle R.C. Church. Member of National Shrine of St. Gerard's Men's Guild. Member of Columbus Hospital Board. President of Accordion Teacher's Association. Member of Mid Atlantic Music Teacher's Guild. Performer and Guest Conductor of N.J. Accordion Pops Orchestra. President of Newark Chapter of N.J. Opera. President of Federation of Italian American Society. He was honored by Who’s Who of Italian American Culture, awarded the Keys to the City in New Orleans for Italian cultural preservation, Received the Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day Award for community service by the Italian Tribune Newspaper. Awarded Unico's National’s Positive Image Award, Man of the Year of the Federation of Italian American Societies, Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders' Positive Image Award, Gibblin Assoc. Fine Arts Achievement. Music achievement award by the A.T.A and M.A.MTG of New Jersey. DeBellis School of Performing Arts Director's Award 60th Anniversary from Staff and Students.

Devoted and loving husband to Lorraine C. DeBellis, co-director of DeBellis School of Performing Arts. Loving and precious father and adored by daughter Cynthia J. DeBellis-Ketay, Father in law to Richard Ketay; Gentle, loving Grandfather to Gina and Michael Ketay; Beloved Brother to the late Vincent DeBellis; nieces Donna, Diane and Mary DeBellis. Please pray for his beloved soul.

Visiting on Monday, March 25th, 2019 from 1PM to 4PM at the Marrocco Memorial Chapel – 470 Colfax Ave. Clifton. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 11 AM at St. Philip the Apostle RC Church in Clifton. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery.

Dearest Daddy,
I was so blessed to have you for my father. I always felt God's presence within you. You had a gift of sharing your faith and love. Thank you for my catholic grammar school and high school religious education. I was so fortunate to have you as my college mentor. You enlightened all of my studies with your wisdom. Your spiritual guidance provided me with a strong foundation to raise my twins, Gina and Michael.

Thank you for the gift of Music. I loved hearing you entertain our family on your accordion. You were a master accordionist and you made everyday a holiday for us. I loved you teaching me the accordion and piano. You inspired an enthusiasm within me for music. It was so natural to follow within your footsteps by becoming a teacher. My happiest days were spent performing in your music recitals, marching bands and alumni concert bands. I was proud to co-teach with you at your school, where every student became part of our musical family. You loved people and were a great M.C. at music competitions. You had a special way of connecting with people. It was destiny to meet my future husband Ricky whom was your music student at age 10. Gina and Michael remember you being their first music teacher when you introduced them to the piano at age 4. They share many of your talents.

I felt is was so special for you to become a Eucharistic Minister. You were so humbled to have this honor. You mediated daily and loved attending daily mass.

Mom and you were truly soul mates from the day you met ice skating, when you ' fell for each other." You shared the same values as you pursued philanthropic work at your parish church, local hospitals, for ethnic preservation and for promotion of the fine arts. Mom quickly became your co-director of your school of performing arts where you both enthusiastically helped your students participate in Columbus Day Parades, and host beautiful music competition hospitality suites for your musical family. You were inseparable.

You both loved family and you made every holiday a special memory as you made Easter Breads and holiday favorites together.
You worked hard to provide your family with a fairy tale life. Our summer vacations together with family at the shore were magical. You were my first tennis coach and swim instructor. I will always remember our bike rides and summer concerts together with mom. We were the Three Musketeers and you both were an only child's best friends.
Thank you for gifting the twins with our time together with you at the shore.

Your bright blue eyes and smile illuminated our lives and our hearts. You spread sunshine everywhere. You truly personified the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit which were written within Paul's
letter to the Galatians: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF CONTROL. Everyone whom knew you loved you.
Your productive life was a life well lived to help benefit others. You used your talents, treasures and times wisely.

I always saw you as my handsome young father despite the passage of time. Afflictions never wavered your strong inner spirit. You accepted challenges as God's will with grace and contentment. We all found great comfort being together with family. We are thankful for Eucharistic Ministers and Pastoral visits whom brought the gift of communion. Your dearest friends brought us the gift of music.

You were precious to our entire family. Mom loved you more than life itself. I truly adored you. Your grandchildren loved you.
Thank you for teaching me courage and God's inner strength during the last two years of your life when you persevered for us. Thank God for this gift of time for your grandchildren to enjoy you. They always found comfort within your gentle embrace.

When God called you home to heaven, your peaceful acceptance of His will radiated within you. It was a blessing to have you within my arms. Thank you for this privilege and for giving me great strength. I hope you felt my grateful love. You will always be the light of my life and you will be remembered for your legacy of love and tenderness which lives on within us. .
Mom, Gina, Michael, Ricky and I will feel your presence within the hug of a loved one, within a special musical tune and in all of God's creations of Glory on earth. You truly were a gift to us; an angel on earth and now you are our angel in heaven.
We love you forever,
Cynthia, Mom, Gina and Michael