Thomas Bellis
Born In: Mold, United Kingdom
Born: January 6th, 1915
Passed in: Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada
Passed on: July 16th, 2010
Rev. Bellis of Woodstock, New Brunswick passed away on Friday, July 16, 2010.
He was born at Mold, North Wales, U.K. on Jan. 6, 1915. Son of the late William and Christine (Stuart) Bellis.
He was predeceased by his wife, S. Anne Bellis (Pratt).
Survived by nieces and nephews.
In 1930, when Tom was 15 years of age, he and his family emigrated from Wales to Canada. They landed in Saint John before settling in Bloomfield, New Brunswick. Upon arrival in Bloomfield, Tom worked as a family farm hand for about eleven years before enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts program at Mount Allison University.
Tom graduated from Mount Allison University in 1945 and from Pine Hill Divinity School in 1947 with a degree in Theology. Tom was described by his university colleagues as an actor, a singer and a lover of music and consistent with his British heritage, an unyielding tea drinker.
Then, in 1947, Tom began his vocation in Christian ministry in Matapedia, Quebec, where he met his soul mate and life partner, a school teacher, Sarah Ann Pratt.
Following their marriage in 1948 in Tide Head, New Brunswick, Tom and Ann relocated to Margaree, Cape Breton where they remained for 32 years, retiring from pastoral ministry in 1980. Tom and Ann were well received and well cared for by their congregations in Margaree, indeed a reflection of how well Tom cared for and served them. From all accounts, he was a life-giving presence in Margaree - providing youth leadership for Tyros and Sigma C, managing basketball teams and skating circles around most of the hockey players in the area. And for his noteworthy contribution to rural ministry in Nova Scotia, Tom was awarded an honourary doctorate degree from the Atlantic School of Theology
There are no greater words that can be said about any life than those written by Sir Thomas More. His words are reflective of Tom's life:
"I have lived, I have laboured. I have loved. To love and labour is the sum of living. Now the day is far spent and the night is at hand. The time draws nigh when we shall rest from our labours. But still we shall love, and we shall all enter into rest through him who is the Light, the Life and Love."
Thomas Stuart Bellis, a devoted husband of 60 years, a caring and loving presence as brother, uncle, friend, a dutiful messenger of God and vibrant bearer of hope for humankind.
Well done! Good and faithful servant. Enter now into God's eternal peace.
And, may we, find comfort and peace in the knowledge that Tom is now reunited with his beloved Ann within the arms of their Creator God. Amen.
Funeral services were held for Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Bellis on Monday, July 19, 2010 from Saint James United Church, Woodstock, New Brunswick, with Rev. Keith M. Adams officiating. A service of committal and burial was held at the Bloomfield United Church Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of The Culberson Funeral Home, 188 Connell St., Woodstock, N.B.
www.culbersonfuneralhome.com (506-325-1130).
