Joseph Michael Bellino

Joseph Michael Bellino, 77, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2:28 pm, at HonorHealth Medical Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona. He was born on July 19, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, son to Tina and Joseph Bellino. Joseph was married to Deborah Bellino (Karns). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Tommy Bellino. Joe (Joseph or Joey) is survived by his wife Deborah, his daughter Anna, his granddaughter Marissa, his stepsons Christopher and Spencer, his stepdaughters Kristy and Kayla, grandchildren, Colt, Keaton and Brayden, his sisters Josephine (Bill) and Debbie (Mark) also survived by nephews Jeff, Steve and Joey.

Joe was an air traffic controller for 42 years at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois. He cared deeply about the safety and wellbeing of every air traffic controller. Joe along with a few others, moved to Washington D.C. and was one of the founders of AFL-CIO Union, now known as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, where he also served as the Executive Vice President. He was a tenacious Negotiator. During his days in Washington Joe was chosen for the Clinton transition team, he attended the inaugural ball and sat with Mayor Daley and Senator Paul Simon. Joe was a writer of laws for the United States Congress.

Early years, during the layoff, Joe worked as a McHenry Police Officer. In 1965, Joe marched with 28 others in downtown Biloxi, Mississippi for Martin Luther King and for the NAACP.

Joe served as a Pathfinder in the United States Army from 1965-1968. Stationed in Vietnam, he was missing in action and presumed dead, he survived six weeks in the jungle. He said he finally realized that the bugs were easier to eat if they were not alive. Joe spoke Spanish, Italian and Latin, he was an interpreter in Vietnam and knew sign language.

Joe's hobbies included training horses and being a hunting guy, raising pheasants, gold prospecting, archery and shooting. Joe was an excellent shot.

Not only was Joe an amazing husband, dad, grandpa and friend if you were Joe’s friend, he let you know it. Joe was a pure optimist, every day was a great day, he loved life and every hour he paid it forward. He had a contagious personality; all I can say if you didn’t know Joe you missed out.

First, I have to thank; geez if I start saying names, knowing the Lucy in me, I will forget someone. So don’t hold it against me. Fred G., Dominic T.(Superman)., Bruce E.(Mushy Mushy), Steve (Buttercup), Darryl W., Ed M., Mike P., Jim A., Owen B., Dean N., Tim T., Tony M., Jerry L., Mike C., Vic B., Woody, Leon Dan and Tommy. Can’t forget Lloyd and Tom M., Rest in Peace. These guys fought with and for Joe, thank you for all your phone calls and visits, you all were so dear to him. I have to thank Mojo breakfast group, Joe enjoyed all of you, thanks to Dunkin Donut rowdy bunch of guys talking story, and Joe had the stories! I have to give special thanks to everyone that Joe worked with at O’Hare, I heard he was a great boss. Thank you to all of Joe's Vietnam Veteran friends, they had the war stories, so many, so little time to tell them all. Joe loved high school, and I hear Joe and Toddi tore the dance floor up at the sock-hops. A special thank you to Linda and Owen Bridgeman for being by our side here in Phoenix until the end.

Anyone that knew Joe… his big thing was mission first or don’t call me shorty, or don’t worry I have 25 lives, or I am living until I am 156. Kids loved Joe; he was a grandpa to many. Joe wrote two five-star books about his life, My Life in Short Burst and My Life in Short Burst II. He was in the middle of writing a crime novel prior to his passing. Joe wrote three songs, he was able to publish one, How’d That Happen. He wrote it about his brother Tommy, the song was played on our local radio station, he was proud of that. Joe was a stand-up guy, with honor overflowing. Joseph M. Bellino, you touched so many hearts and most definitely will be missed by everyone who knew and loved you. Rest in peace my love.