Philip T. Belanger Sr.

Philip T. Belanger, Sr., 73, of rural Bucyrus, died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm at the Bucyrus Community Hospital Thursday morning, July 6, 2017.



He was born October 22, 1943, in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts to the late Philippe T. and Caroline T. (Pomponio) Belanger. Phil was 4 when his dad died, and his mother raised him and his sisters. Wanting more male influence, his mom sent him to the all-boys Case High School where he ran track, collected records, worked as a DJ, and graduated in 1962. His Uncle Cliff encouraged him to join the Marine Corps, and he served from 1962-1966 as an aviation mechanic, part of the time with the crew of the Marine Corps Commandant. While serving in Memphis, he met a young lady from Pine Bluff, Arkansas named Barbara Claire Lee. They were married August 24, 1965, and eventually made their way to Bucyrus where they built a home and raised their children.



Phil will be remembered as a faithful husband, father, and friend who could do it all and would drop everything to help at a moment’s notice. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was also a handyman and mechanic who loved cars and hanging out with his friends at the Oceola Garage. Family meant the world to him, and they made many visits to Massachusetts and Arkansas to visit and care for loved ones. He was raised in the Catholic church and has worshiped and been active in the Nazarene Church since 1982, currently attending Crestline Nazarene where he helped with the food pantry and with the upkeep of the building and grounds. Phil worked for The Timken Co. for 35 years, retiring as a Principal Process Analyst. He was a member of American Legion Post 181, the NRA, and saved countless lives by donating several gallons of blood over the years.



Phil is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Barbara; two children, Phil “Ted” Belanger Jr. of Lima and Beth (Donald) Porter of New Vienna; four grandchildren, Matthew Belanger, Michael Belanger (fiancée Paige Fischbach), Clairanne Porter, and Cory Porter; four great grandchildren, Landon, Logan, Madison, and Owen; two sisters, Carol Ann Belanger of Washington and Diana Davis of Massachusetts; two nephews, Bobby and Dennis Reid; and many cousins.



The Belanger family will receive friends on Monday, July 10 from 6-8 pm at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. The funeral will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am at Crestline Nazarene Church with Rev. Dr. Scott Buell officiating. Burial will follow in Crawford County Memory Gardens where military rites will be provided by the US Marine Corps and American Legion Post 181 Honor Guards.



Donations can be made payable to Crestline Nazarene Church and given through the funeral home. Photos and memories can be shared on Phil’s Tribute Wall.