It is with deep regret that we announce that Robert R. Bellemare, 80, of Oxford and formerly of Middlebury, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Felicia M. (Tumel) Bellemare.
Bob was born in Waterbury, CT on August 25, 1946, son of the late Harry P. and Velma L. (Cyr) Bellemare. He grew up in Wolcott and graduated in 1964 from Wolcott High School, where he excelled in baseball. He earned his associate’s degree in Marketing from Post University.
Bob was a 3-sport athlete with baseball and basketball highlighting his early years, while golf became his life-long love. He played baseball for the Gleem Painters of the Twi-Met League. During his pitching career with the team, they won two trips to the amateur tournament in Battle Creek, MI, the largest, most competitive gathering of amateur players in the country.
He was scouted by several major league teams, ultimately being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round of the 1967 winter drafts. At age 19, Bob chose to sign a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants. During spring training for the Giants’ AAA roster, he was fortunate to play inter-squad games with Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry, Bobby Bonds, and George Foster. Bob was the first pitcher to sign a professional baseball contract from Gleem Painters, and had a very successful baseball career over four years in the Giants’ farm system. In 1968, Bob made the all-star team in the Midwest league and had Carlton Fisk as his catcher in that game. He was awarded the Wolcott Circle of Sports Hall of Fame Award in 1997.
Bob’s career in advertising began at Anaconda American Brass, where he was promoted to Ad Director at age 32. His career continued in sales at Cahners’ Publishing for 23 years before the company was acquired by publisher Reed Elsevier. Bob was a top performer, winning 5 President’s Club Awards. He retired from Reed-Elsevier at age 62 in 2009, but continued consulting work for ebmPapst of Farmington, CT until his final retirement in March of 2025.
He was an avid golfer who maintained a 5 handicap and was a member of both the Watertown Golf Club and the Pequabuck Golf Club. He also played at Oxford Greens, where he lived just off the 11th tee in his later years. Over his golf career, he had 3 Holes-In-One.
In retirement, Bob also enjoyed working in his yard and garden. He especially delighted in time with his cherished grandson, Finn, working in his workshop, going for golf cart rides, and just being together. Bob also had an appreciation for classic cars and totally re-conditioned a 1963 Impala SS that won trophies at many local car shows.
Besides his wife Felicia of 56 years, he leaves to honor and cherish his memory; his daughter, Pamela Bellarose and her wife Jessica of Boston, MA; a grandson, Finn Bellarose of Boston, MA; a brother, James H. Bellemare and his wife Vivian of Bristol; a sister, Jackie Bellemare Banks and her companion James Lapan of Shelton; 2 sisters-in-law, Sandra Festa of Terryville and Maryanne Castaldi and her husband Richard of Waterbury; many much-loved nieces and nephews who enjoyed his story telling; and many cherished friends, neighbors, and golfing buddies. He was predeceased by his brother, Mark Bellemare and brothers-in-law, Walter Tumel, Jr. and Vincent Festa.
Arrangements: Robert’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. from Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours with his cremains present will be held on Monday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. All expressions of sympathy, including honorary donations to a favorite charity, are welcome.