Armand James DeBellis

Virginia Beach - Armand James DeBellis, known as Jim to his friends and colleagues, was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on April 11, 1924. He died on February 26, 2014. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Sally Jane McKinley DeBellis, his father, Louis DeBellis, his mother, Frances DeBellis, and his sister, Delia DeBellis Gerace. He is survived by his daughters, Margaret DeBellis Bruce and her husband, Jay, and Barbara DeBellis Kennedy and her husband, Mark. His grandsons, Benjamin Louis Kennedy and James Matthew Kennedy; his sister Aida DeBellis Pacella; and a large, extended family also survive.

Jim was a World War II veteran, serving in the 34th Infantry Division, 135th Regiment and participating in front line action in Italy. He earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge. After returning from the war, Jim went back to Grove City College where he had begun his studies prior to the war. He graduated in 1949 with a degree in economics and business administration. He worked for 18 years with the Allegheny Power System, a utility company serving parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. He held various marketing and district positions and rose to manager of public relations for the Potomac Edison Company.

In September 1970, Jim was appointed the first Economic Development Director for the City of Virginia Beach. He was responsible for establishing and directing the city’s programs for business development, tourism, and convention promotion. During his tenure with the city, the Lynnhaven Mall project was completed and the Pavilion Convention Center was built. Oceana West Industrial Park in the Lynnhaven corridor, the Airport Industrial Park at Diamond Springs Road, and numerous other industrial sites were developed to attract national and international companies. Over the years, he pointed with pride the location of Stihl, Inc., Lillian Vernon, Busch Manufacturing, and many other companies which provided jobs for Virginia Beach residents.

Jim was active in peer organizations; he served as President of the Southern Economic Development Council; was founding president of the City/County Marketing Association; was president of the Southern Community Development Council; served as chairperson for various committees of the American Development Council and the Industrial Development and Research Council. He chaired the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Industrial and Tourism Committees. He served on the Virginia Tourism and Travel Commission, appointed by three Governors. He served as vice-chair of the Commonwealth of Virginia Tourism and Travel Advisory Committee and was president and life member of the Virginia Travel Council. His work in Virginia Economic Development earned him the prestigious Cardinal Award.

Following his retirement as Economic Development Director in 1989, Jim remained active in many organizations and did consulting work in Virginia and elsewhere. Jim was also a dedicated and active community member. He was a past president and remained active in the work of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was honored to be named a 1989 Neptune Festival Triton. He was on the board of the Virginians for the Arts and a past chair of the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. He was a former board member of the Virginia Thanksgiving Celebration at Berkeley Plantation. He was a past member of the Community Relations Committee of the Virginia State Fair. He was a member and elder of Providence Presbyterian Church. He was proud to be appointed to serve on the Virginia Beach School Board in 2000-2002 in order to fill an unexpired term representing Kempsville. He was a past member of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation Board and a member of the General Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education. He also served as co-chair of the Norfolk Sentara Nursing Center Advisory Committee.

He worked diligently to make a difference and contribute to his city and his community. He loved Virginia Beach and was her biggest cheerleader. He willingly lent his expertise, creativity, and sense of fairness to all of his endeavors which benefitted so many organizations and individuals. As important as his achievements were, even more important to Jim was his family whom he loved beyond measure. His sense of humor and love of life will inspire all who knew him and will serve as a tribute to his memory. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

The family would like to thank and acknowledge Dr. Jean Panneton and the doctors with Sentara Vascular Specialists. They also wish to thank the exceptional nursing staff in the vascular unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, including Gerry, Diane, Christine, Liz, Thomas, Jon, Dori, Bethany, and Chelsea for their loving and skilled care of Jim.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 3, 2014, at Providence Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Honor Flight Network, Providence Presbyterian Church, or the VA Beach Youth Crisis Home in Jim’s memory. You may offer condolences to the family at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.