After a courageous battle with cancer, Chet passed into eternal rest on Sept. 3, 2011. Chet was predeceased in March 2010 by his loving wife, Marjorie, to whom he was married for 59 years. He is survived by his four children, Mark (Mary) of Kensington, CT, Steven (Kathryn) of Salem, Ct, Judith Ryerson, of Mystic, CT and Michael (Glorissa) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and five grandchildren, Kathryn, Theodore, Sean, Lizzie and Ryan.
Chet was the only surviving son of Theresa (DeLuca) and Luigi Bellandese. He was born in Providence RI on October 15, 1927. He was predeceased by an infant brother, John. He attended LaSalle Academy High School in Providence and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1946 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the US Air Force as a technical sergeant in WW II. He was also a bombardier on the B29 aircraft out of Okinawa Japan. He received a WW II Victory Medal and an Army of Occupational Medal (Japan). Chet was very proud of his service to his country.
After college, he went to work for Allis Chalmers as a site superintendent for power turbine installations. He and Marjorie travelled across the country and settled in Mystic in 1961 where they lived for the following 51 years raising their family of four. While in Mystic he worked for 30 years at Electric Boat, retiring as an engineering specialist in stress analysis of critical submarine systems. He was responsible for certifying those systems during deep dive sea trials.
While his children were growing up, Chet was active in the Barber Shop Quartet, Knights of Columbus, Mystic Little League, Cub and Boy Scouts, and a member of St. Patrick Church in Mystic. His hobbies included repairing televisions and restoring antique radios as well as boating. He was an accomplished ham radio operator achieving the advanced license. His call sign was KD1GF.
Chet taught his children the importance of paying attention to detail and working hard. Always compassionate, he loved his family deeply. He was especially proud of his grandchildren who called him Poppa.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Quinn at Thames Urology, Cardiologist Dr. Fazio and Drs. Wong and Tomanelli of Midstate Medical Center as well as the staff at Village of Kensington Place and Meriden Center Nursing Home for their care and compassion over the last several months.
His family will gather for a private service. Burial with military honors will be at St. Patrick Cemetery, Old Mystic.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Chet’s memory to Catholic Charities, 331 Main Street, Norwich CT 06360.
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