Obituary of Fernand A. Bellavance

Fernand A. Bellavance, age 86, of Bridgeport, beloved husband of the late Palma Cocco Bellavance, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2013 at St. Vincents Medical Center after a brief illness. Born on January 28, 1927 in Hardwick, VT, he was the son of the late Napolean and Clarida Leclerc Bellavance. A U. S. Navy veteran, he served during WWII on a Navy destroyer in the Sea of Japan. After the war, he left New Hampshire on his motorcycle looking for work and ended up in Bridgeport, CT. He met his future wife Palma Cocco at the Ritz Ballroom in Black Rock. They were married on May 8, 1954. After working for HG Davis Auto, he operated a Texaco gas station and car repair. He next opened his own car repair business, Fred Bell's Garage in Bridgeport across from GE. He was in business for over 33 years. Fred was proud to have serviced so many satisfied customers who remembered him long after he retired. He was an avid motorcycle rider and enjoyed going to the races in Laconia, New Hampshire. Fred also loved going to the casino and winning at blackjack and poker. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include a daughter, Maryann Birch and her husband Joseph of Oxford, a son, Fred Bellavance and his wife Diane of Bridgeport, five grandchildren, Michelle, Pamela, Sarah, Ryan and Alex, four brothers, Adrian Bellavance and his wife Sandy, Robert Bellavance and his wife Leta, Raymond Bellavance and his wife Mari, Roland Bellavance and his wife Barbara, four sisters, Cecile Carr and her husband Eugene, Margaret Bates and her husband Wayne, Madeleine Edwards and her husband Dan, Pauline Grant, all of New Hampshire and sister-in-laws Arlene and Joanne Bellavance, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife Palma and daughter, Diane Bellavance and four brothers, Agenar, Julien, John and Gerard Bellavance. Funeral Information Funeral Services will take place on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, North Avenue, Bridgeport. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may call on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Donations Information All who knew Fernand also knew of his love for children. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.