Tommy Bello was a great guy. I remember going to the movies with him when we were at J. Y. Joyner. Then in 6th grade at Joyner, we both ran for Student Council President and I won, but he would outdo me completely when he became Student Body President at Carolina when we were both at Chapel Hill (I did not run in that election-- much to his relief he told me with a sly grin when we bumped into each other on campus one day). Just an all-round nice guy who went on to live a life of service and giving.
This is the obituary that ran in the WASHINGTON POST:
TOM BELLO After a lifetime of community and religious service, Tom Bello died peacefully from melanoma in his McLean, VA home, surrounded by his family, at the age of 66. Tom moved to northern Virginia with his wife in 1975 after discontinuing his studies at Yale Law School. He pursued instead both writing and teaching to help underserved communities. For 34 years, he taught adult refugees and immigrants English as a second language, enabling them to improve their lives through better communications skills. qually devoted to spiritual life, Tom studied and trained many years to become a Roman Catholic deacon. Serving in the Arlington Diocese, primarily at St. James, Tom proclaimed the Gospel, offered homilies, baptized children, led Scripture study groups, presided at funerals and marriages, helped distribute food for needy families, and ministered especially to those confined in hospitals, nursing homes, or prisons. A lifelong admirer of St. Francis, Tom joined the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) to better pursue peace, prayer, and active service to others. He served as National Minister for all North American Secular Franciscans for the last 6 years. Tom earned many honors (eg, Rhodes and Morehead Scholarships and teaching awards), but he most valued helping others. Although imperfect like us all, Tom made service to others the spine of his life. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons Yeats and Pierce and daughter Jackie; daughters-in-law Alyssa and Justine; grandchildren Julian, Cadence, Rowan, and Parker; and extended family Melissa Hippler; John, Dylan, and Hannah Butler; Kirstin Krudwig; Nathan Williams; and Mark Schoofs. Wakes sharing stories about Tom will be held at 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 1 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St., and a funeral Mass on Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave. (both in Falls Church). To celebrate Tom''s life, you could volunteer to help immigrants, needy families, your faith community, prisoners, patients, or soup kitchens. You also could contribute to your favorite charity or one of Tom''s: Catholic Charities, St. James Catholic Church Social Outreach Committee, OFS, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Thanks for the obit on Tommy Bello Jeanne. Yes he was a nice guy and I was fortunate grow up on same street with him. I remember one Saturday, he called to see if I would join you, him and someone else for a game of bridge. I nicely declined and asked my mother if he thought I was that smart !!! He is certainly missed along with his brother Jerry and sister Susan.
I am very sorry of the passing of Tommy Bello. I wish I had know him better. Some people just make you feel happy to be around them. Tommy was one of them.
I am very remiss at celebrating the life of a friend that passed not long before our 50th reunion.I was blessed to know Tom and visit his home in Jr High days, often at meal times.His affability and great sense of humor always drew one to him. I also had the pleasure of visiting Tom later at Carolina and at his home in Virginia . I met Judy and his two young sons at the time.
Most people know of his intellect that led eventually to a Rhodes scholarship then a career writing. His service and leadership took him through Service Club, then Student President at UNC. However , who could predict that a Broughton Hi-Y chaplain would one day spend over 30 years of his life teaching and helping underserved communities . He became a Roman Catholic Deacon and followed a calling to "visit the sick , feed the hungry' as we read in the New Testament.A local obituary said Tom used his gifts and talents in a spiritual life of peace , prayer, and service.
Of course , Tom might tell you he was really proud of being a couple of years on the Wrestling team and 3 years on our Baseball team.He is greatly missed, and a blessing to so many who came in contact . Truly a life well lived , Our thoughts go to Judy, the children, and grandchilren.
Deborah Renn (Wolcott)
I am so sad to hear of Tommy's passing. He was such a caring and generous person who radiated a joyful smile. He will be so missed by so many.
Jeanne Finan
Tommy Bello was a great guy. I remember going to the movies with him when we were at J. Y. Joyner. Then in 6th grade at Joyner, we both ran for Student Council President and I won, but he would outdo me completely when he became Student Body President at Carolina when we were both at Chapel Hill (I did not run in that election-- much to his relief he told me with a sly grin when we bumped into each other on campus one day). Just an all-round nice guy who went on to live a life of service and giving.
This is the obituary that ran in the WASHINGTON POST:
TOM BELLO After a lifetime of community and religious service, Tom Bello died peacefully from melanoma in his McLean, VA home, surrounded by his family, at the age of 66. Tom moved to northern Virginia with his wife in 1975 after discontinuing his studies at Yale Law School. He pursued instead both writing and teaching to help underserved communities. For 34 years, he taught adult refugees and immigrants English as a second language, enabling them to improve their lives through better communications skills. qually devoted to spiritual life, Tom studied and trained many years to become a Roman Catholic deacon. Serving in the Arlington Diocese, primarily at St. James, Tom proclaimed the Gospel, offered homilies, baptized children, led Scripture study groups, presided at funerals and marriages, helped distribute food for needy families, and ministered especially to those confined in hospitals, nursing homes, or prisons. A lifelong admirer of St. Francis, Tom joined the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) to better pursue peace, prayer, and active service to others. He served as National Minister for all North American Secular Franciscans for the last 6 years. Tom earned many honors (eg, Rhodes and Morehead Scholarships and teaching awards), but he most valued helping others. Although imperfect like us all, Tom made service to others the spine of his life. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons Yeats and Pierce and daughter Jackie; daughters-in-law Alyssa and Justine; grandchildren Julian, Cadence, Rowan, and Parker; and extended family Melissa Hippler; John, Dylan, and Hannah Butler; Kirstin Krudwig; Nathan Williams; and Mark Schoofs. Wakes sharing stories about Tom will be held at 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 1 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St., and a funeral Mass on Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave. (both in Falls Church). To celebrate Tom''s life, you could volunteer to help immigrants, needy families, your faith community, prisoners, patients, or soup kitchens. You also could contribute to your favorite charity or one of Tom''s: Catholic Charities, St. James Catholic Church Social Outreach Committee, OFS, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Jane E. Howe
Thanks for the obit on Tommy Bello Jeanne. Yes he was a nice guy and I was fortunate grow up on same street with him. I remember one Saturday, he called to see if I would join you, him and someone else for a game of bridge. I nicely declined and asked my mother if he thought I was that smart !!! He is certainly missed along with his brother Jerry and sister Susan.
Jane E Howe
Timothy S. Toney
I am very sorry of the passing of Tommy Bello. I wish I had know him better. Some people just make you feel happy to be around them. Tommy was one of them.
Keith Valentine
I am very remiss at celebrating the life of a friend that passed not long before our 50th reunion.I was blessed to know Tom and visit his home in Jr High days, often at meal times.His affability and great sense of humor always drew one to him. I also had the pleasure of visiting Tom later at Carolina and at his home in Virginia . I met Judy and his two young sons at the time.
Most people know of his intellect that led eventually to a Rhodes scholarship then a career writing. His service and leadership took him through Service Club, then Student President at UNC. However , who could predict that a Broughton Hi-Y chaplain would one day spend over 30 years of his life teaching and helping underserved communities . He became a Roman Catholic Deacon and followed a calling to "visit the sick , feed the hungry' as we read in the New Testament.A local obituary said Tom used his gifts and talents in a spiritual life of peace , prayer, and service.
Of course , Tom might tell you he was really proud of being a couple of years on the Wrestling team and 3 years on our Baseball team.He is greatly missed, and a blessing to so many who came in contact . Truly a life well lived , Our thoughts go to Judy, the children, and grandchilren.