Ernest Eugene (Gene) Belcher Jr.

Born in Hartford on January 14, 1931, he was the son of the late Ernest and Edna (Hardy) Belcher. Gene grew up in Hartford; he attended Northwest School and Hartford Trade School.

He served in the United States Marine Corps for a short time during the Korean War. He went to work for Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co. in 1951, where he worked for 42 years.

After his retirement, he worked as a crossing guard for the East Hartford School System, where he enjoyed the children he met over the years and loved giving the neighborhood dogs treats.

Gene was an active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in East Hartford having served on the Mission Council, sang in the choir, took care of the building and grounds and other duties as well. He also enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the church nursery school. As a youth, Gene was a member of DeMolay and later a member of Columbia Lodge #25AF&AM for 55 years. He was fond of fishing, golfing, bowling and traveling with his wife, Arlene.

Besides his wife, Gene leaves his loving family behind to cherish his memory; his daughter Diane B. Hull and her husband James of East Hartford, his son David E. Belcher and his wife Donna of South Windsor, he was a proud grandfather of Elizabeth Bartman and her husband Matthew of East Hartford, Amanda Kimball and her husband Leonard of South Windsor and Justin Belcher and his wife Adelina of Bristol. He also leaves several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law George and Carol Sampson, Joan and Ed Gilligan, Priscilla Sampson, Walter Sampson, Lois and Dennis DeAngelis, Richard Sampson , Nancy Sampson and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Gene was predeceased by several brothers and sister-in-law, Cynthia Sampson, David Sampson, John and Gail Sampson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s memory can be made to All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 444 Hills St., East Hartford CT 06118.

There will be a calling hour held on Monday, January 25, 2016 from 10-11am, at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 444 Hills St., East Hartford, followed by a Memorial Service at 11am at the church. Burial will conclude services in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com