Obituary

Francis E. Bellizia Jr.

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 1:45pm

Francis Emmanuel Bellizia Jr., 69, of Boothbay Harbor, died April 24 after a year-long battle with cancer.

He was born in Medford, Mass. on January 7, 1944, the son of the late Francis E. Bellizia and Mary (Hunter) Bellizia of West Southport.

Growing up in Arlington and Lincoln, Mass., he played baseball and was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox, a passion that continued throughout his life. With a deep vocabulary and mastery of written English, he was well read and known for his wit and humor.

He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Dartmouth College; a master's degree in English from Middlebury College; and a doctorate in humanistic education from Boston University.

He devoted much of his career to education, notably at Phillips Academy Andover, Keene State College, Vermont College, and American International College. His students remember his deep devotion of the arts and his ability to encourage expression and self-exploration.

He is survived by two sons, Phillip and wife Bridget of Jeffersonville, Vt., and James and wife Heloise Williams of Burlington, Vt.; daughter, Vishakha Bellizia-Lyons of Dummerston, Vt.; and grandchildren, Jake and Sophia.

Services will be held at Simmons Harrington & Hall Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on May 18. Donations in his honor may be made to the American Cancer Society.

You are invited to share your condolences, photos, and memories with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington, and Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.