Alan Belzer

Alan Belzer lived an extraordinary life. Born in 1932 in Brooklyn, New York, to Morris and Vera Belzer, Alan described himself as a greatly loved son. He loved and admired his parents as well as his older brother Martin of whom he spoke with unmistakable affection.

Alan had what he considered to be a standard childhood, playing in the neighborhood with friends, learning to ride a bike, and playing with friends in the street. Though intuitive and insightful, when it came to school, he admitted to being a bit lazy; he could often be found playing poker and shooting craps instead of studying. Fortunately, he was a master at cramming for exams, a skill that enabled him to finish high school in just three years and get himself accepted to the NYU School of Economics.

At age 20, Alan graduated from college, joined the Coast Guard, and got married. At 21, he and his wife, Lenore, welcomed their first daughter, Debra. While he was in the Coast Guard, they lived in Norfolk, Virginia, where Alan put his degree in finance and accounting to use working in the controller’s office.

After leaving the Coast Guard, the Belzers moved to Canarsie, Brooklyn, where their second daughter, Frances, was born. His daughters describe him as brilliant, generous, humble, and corny. They praise his sense of humor remembering that on Halloween he would wait for the kids at his door to yell “Trick or treat!” to which he would always respond, “Trick!” and then sit back and admire their stunned faces. But then, of course, he would give them treats.

The young family lived in the Bay View Houses overlooking Jamaica Bay, which is also where Alan met lifelong friends, Ram and Ann Dicker and Solomon Arbeiter. Alan was a loyal and thoughtful friend, making time for Ram and Solomon and their families, as well as nurturing other decades-long friendships with Bob and Del Viarengo, Ed and Suzanne Geffner, Fred and Nancy Poses, and so many more. As Susan Martin has often said, “Once you’re a friend of Alan Belzer, you’re a friend forever.”

In 1955, Alan got a job as an analyst in the controller’s office at Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation which evolved into AlliedSignal, Inc. The value of his abilities and strength of his instincts were recognized throughout the years, and he eventually became the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer. He did this, not by being ruthless and cutthroat, but through what his friend and colleague Fred Poses called an accumulation of experiences. “He’s not a grandiose guy,” said Fred. “He’s just a mere mortal who did well.”

Alan became involved with Project Renewal, an organization that works for the homeless in New York; for more than 35 years, he contributed his expertise, time, energy and experience to help reduce homelessness for those struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Alan loved Red Delicious apples, black licorice, strawberry ice cream, sesame bagels (cut in quarters and buttered with salt added separately and deliberately), weekends on Fire Island, travelling around the world, buying socks in bulk, and, most of all, the Brooklyn Dodgers (and later the Mets), the Knicks, and the NY Giants, not necessarily in that order.

Of course, he also loved wine. His vast knowledge was enviable and his passionate appreciation contagious. The only thing he loved more than the wines themselves, was sharing them with friends and family without judgment or expectation. If he served bottles from different vintages or regions on any given night and you told him you liked one more than the other, his unbiased response was always, “Well, then that’s the one you like more.” And he would pour you another glass.

On New Year’s Eve, 1994, Alan married Susan Martin at their home on 5th Avenue in New York City, and the two remained adoring and beloved partners for the rest of his life. They affectionately called each other “Shmopie,” or just plain old “Shmopes” if they were in a hurry. Their nearly 40-year-long love affair has been an inspiration to those who know them and a unique example of how two people can fit so seamlessly together without keeping the other from being themselves.

Alan will be remembered with great affection by his wife, Susan, his daughters, Debra and Frances, his sons-in-law Jose and Gary, his grandsons, Jonathan and Dylan, his granddaughter-in-law Natascha, and of course his great-grandsons, Billy and David Leo and his extended family and friends whose lives were enriched by his kindness, generosity, wit, and wisdom.

Contributions may be made to Project Renewal, 200 Varick Street, New York NY 10014. 212-620-0340.

A funeral service will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, located at 180 West 76th Street, New York, NY 10023, on September 29, 2025, starting at 11:30 am. The service will be available via live stream at https://www.legacycelebrated.com/alan-belzer/.

A committal service will follow at New Montefiore Cemetery, located at 1180 Wellwood Ave, West Babylon, NY 11704, on September 29, 2025, beginning at 1:45 pm.