Birth date: Aug 22, 1947 Death date: Aug 3, 2025
Robert J. Bellavance, a resident of Methuen, MA, and York Beach, ME, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Born and raised in Amesbury, MA, son of the late Albert and Alphonsine (Fournier) Bellavance, he graduated from Haverhill Read Obituary
Mr. Bellavance was my first shop exploratory teacher at Greater Lowell regional voke . He taught us to make a garden hose holder. I had that on my house for probably 20 years. He was such a cool guy to us teenagers back in early 80’s . One of my favorite teachers. Rest in peace Mr. Bellavance.
Mr. Bellevance was my Sheet Metal Related teacher from 1978 until I graduated in 1982. He was a great teacher and you could tell he loved teaching. One day during class, he had a flashback that freaked us out. When he came out of it, he told us a story of his time in Vietnam and how he sometimes had nightmares and flashbacks like the one we witnessed. It gave us a new perspective of what our soldiers endured during that war. I stopped by the Voke to visit a few times over the years and got to talk with him. Surprisingly to me, he remembered me by name each time. Rest in peace Mr. Bellevance. Your ghosts of Vietnam can no longer haunt you.
For the last 43 yrs. I have had the honor and privilege of calling Bob and Nancy my friends and consider them family. When I moved here from Weymouth, back in 1981, and transferred to Methuen Council 4027 of the Knights of Columbus, Bob was the 1st one to welcome me and introduce me to my brother Knights. Bob and Nancy were there when Marian and I got married, when we renewed our vows in the Catholic Church on our 5th anniversary, when our kids were Christened, and more cookouts, parties, dances and K. of C. functions than I can remember. Good times, laughs and memories that I would not trade for anything! When he was Grand Knight, Bob and I invented this character for me to play to entertain the kids at the Special Needs Christmas Party, called Wingo, the Hobo Clown. it went over so good that he asked me to do it again at the 7th birthday party for Jamie in the backyard on Tyler St.. What a riot!!! They say that when you are down and out, that is when you find out who your true friends are. Bob and Nancy were living proof of this. In 1985, I came down with Guillain Barre syndrome, ended up in Mass. General for 6 weeks, and paralyzed from the neck down in a wheelchair for 6 mos. By the time Christmas rolled around, we were in dire straits. Because I could not work, we were behind on all our bills, rent, electric, the phone was close to being shut off, and I had no idea how we were going to give our kids (7, 5, and 6 mos.), a Christmas, (we did not even have a tree). Well, Bob got together with John VanGelder and John Carroll, (both firefighters), the K. of C., the Methuen Highway Dept., Methuen and Salem Fire and Police Depts., the Methuen VFW and the Methuen Exchange Club, (all having a lot of Knights of Columbus). Lo and behold, about a week before Christmas, around 4 in the afternoon we hear sirens and see flashing lights out in the parking lot. We look out and there are fire trucks and police cruisers and a Methuen snowplow. There is a knock on our door and in comes Bob, Dutch, J.C., Bill Marciello, about 12 of my brother Knights, the Methuen Chief of Police, the Salem Fire Chief, the Supt. of the Methuen Highway Dept., the Commander of the Methuen VFW, the VP of the Methuen Exchange Club, and Salem and Methuen Cops and Firefighters. In their arms they are carrying a Christmas Tree, a 6 ft. Christmas stocking filled with toys, 2 bicycles, a walker for the baby, presents and brand new clothes for the all the kids, about 6 boxes of groceries, a turkey, a ham, a $200 gift certificate to Bradlees, a $50 gas card, stamped receipts for the rent, electric and phone, (all paid in full to March 31st) AND a check for $1000!!! If you have never seen a grown man cry like a baby, you saw it that night! When I lost my Mom in 1988, Bob and Nancy drove all the way to Auburn, MA for her funeral. When I lost my Marian in 2012 they were there for me again. These are just a few stories that I can tell you about my pal, Bobby. In my 52 yrs. as a member of the Knights of Columbus, I have never met another Brother Knight with as much honor, courage and integrity as Bob Bellavance. I know for certain that the Angel population in Heaven just increased by 1. I will bet my bottom dollar that Bob, Bill, Dutch and J.C. are all up there right now having a HONDA CAR!!! To Nancy, Jeff, Kristen and Jamie I send my love and prayers. To Bobby, Till We Meet Again, My Brother, Rest In Peace. VIVAT JESU. George Lemay, PGK
Dear Nancy and family. So very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I know how difficult it is for all of you. We had some of the best times here and in Maine. I feel the ache in your hearts.
May God give you faith & strength.
Bob, rest in peace and watch over your loved ones! 🙏😢🙏
My deep condolences to Nancy and family. Bob is a dear friend to me and will be missed greatly. There were many steaks he cooked to perfection on Buck Street and even more hard fought golf "matches". Have to mention how he is a former champion of the Greater Lowell Tech Golf League. Something he never let me and many others forget. You did well, Bobby.
Buz Stuart
