Richard F. "Dick" Belkus

Richard Frank “Dick” Belkus, age 71, of Lawrence, MA, formerly of Haverhill, MA, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  He was the loving husband of Ann Marie (Dorsey) Belkus for 50 years.

Dick was born on June 08, 1951, to the late Jeanette (Ferro) and William Belkus.  They lived on a farm off of 97 in Haverhill, where Dick learned to play the trumpet and ride motorcycles with his older brother, Bill.  Upon graduating from high school in 1969, he enrolled in the Navy, where he served until 1973 as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate “Jet” working as an aircraft mechanic.  During his time with the Navy, he was stationed in Brunswick, Maine, the Florida Keys, Roda, Spain, and Bermuda.

After returning to Lawrence, MA, he worked as a machine technician at Malden Mills from 1973-1984.  In 1984, he went to work for the United States Post Office as a postal carrier and soon after became an automotive mechanic.  He retired in 2017 after 36 years of service.  Many in the Merrimack Valley could count on him to fix their cars, which he regularly worked on on weekends in his driveway.

Beyond his diverse car collection, Dick enjoyed playing cards, riding his motorcycle, fishing, chocolate, eating seafood, and enjoying an ice cream sundae.  His great sense of humor made people feel comfortable and laugh easily in his presence.  Dick loved the outdoors, especially the campsite, where he and Ann created beautiful lifelong memories for their grandchildren.  He was outgoing and was friends with all who knew him.  He spent time with friends and dedicated his life to his family.

Dick was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather.  He could be counted on to fix any problem.  His children survive him, Lisa Tower of Ayer, MA; Richard Belkus and his wife Laurie, of Salem, New Hampshire; Jason Belkus and his wife Aliali, of Methuen, MA, and Laura Bellia and her husband Sal of Windham, NH.  Ryan Belkus, Jason Belkus, Jonathan Belkus, Raymond Tower, Tyler Belkus, Ana Marie Belkus, Avalyn Belkus, Jackson Belkus, Salvatore Bellia, Giovanni Bellia, and Marco Bellia will miss their grandpa dearly.  He will join his granddaughter, Amara Juliann Belkus, in Heaven.

Funeral services and burial will be private. Arrangements are by the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Dick’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

The family will honor his life with a private wake

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