Obituary of Joseph Edward Belcot

BELCOT, JOE: Peacefully, at Shalom Gardens in Grimsby, and surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 27, 2015, Joseph Edward Belcot of Smithville passed away in his 98th year. Joe was the beloved husband of the late Jessie Josephine Malaryk (1992) and a loving and attentive father to (the late) Ron (2006), Randy and Susan (Brewer), and Cheryl and Philip Drake. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren Katelynn, Bill, Darcy and Olivia Drake, & Joe and Jillian Belcot. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law Jean Belcot, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister Mary Sawada (the late Alec), brothers John Belcot and Emil Belcot, and sister Lillian Wilson (the late Herb). In 1978, Joe started The Trophy Case, a business he operated with Jessie for 18 years. Serving in WWII as an Aero engine mechanic in the R.C.A.F., Joe continued to serve his community when he returned home. In the 1950s, as a founding member of the Niagara Peninsula Softball Association, Joe began organizing a softball league. He also coached baseball and was an avid player. In the 1960s, as his young family was growing up, he helped form the Smithville Minor Hockey Association. The teams played in nearby Beamsville, as his hometown did not have an arena. From 1973-1975, Joe was the chairman of the finance committee to build an arena in Smithville. He provided the leadership and encouragement along with a team of others, to successfully help the town secure grants, and fundraise toward the expense of the building. Joe continued to referee, coach and manage teams and serve in leadership roles in the WLMH Association for almost 50 years. Active in the local Royal Canadian Legion, Joe served as Vice President, Sports Chairman and Building Chairman for an expansion in the 1970s and remained a Legion member throughout his life. Joe was also a founding member and the first president of the Smithville Lions Club and held every position of office, initiating the first food drives. While president of the committee in 1991, Joe and his team started the Santa Claus Parade and continued to be actively involved for many years. A long time member of the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Joe helped bring attention to Smithville by drawing people from across southern Ontario to tournaments, and to referee and coaching clinics in his community. Even after he turned 90, he continued to give back to his community and was involved in his hometown's annual Poultryfest celebration. Joe's contributions to his town and the region of Niagara have been significant and recognized with many awards and celebrations for community service, most notably as West Lincoln's Citizen of the Year in 1982, Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1992, Community Sport Administration Award in 1993, Ontario Minor Hockey Association Honorarium Award in 1996, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, and in 2003 the Meritorious Service Medal from the Legion. Special thanks to the nursing and care staff (young and old) at Shalom Gardens. Visitation at Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station Street, Smithville on Saturday, August 29 from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with Prayers at 2 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 166 West Street (Regional Road 20), Smithville on Monday, August 31 at 2 p.m. with interment at the Church's adjoining cemetery. If desired, memorial donations to Shalom Manor or St Martin’s Church can be made through the funeral home.