Not only did Easton resident Peter Bellew turn 100, but he also received a promotion to honorary Easton Policeman by Police Chief Rich Doyle. The promotion included the presentation of an official Easton Police Department ball cap and a certificate of achievement.
The certificate stated: “This acknowledges that Peter Bellew has completed 100 years of honest, healthy living with zero arrests by the Easton Police Department.”
But that’s not all. A parade of emergency service members from the Easton Police Department, Easton Volunteer Emergency Medical Services and the Easton Fire Department ceremoniously drove past Bellew’s house. First Selectman Dave Bindelglass issued an official proclamation in honor of the milestone and gave him a card signed by Town Hall employees.
Bagpiper Art Beagan serenaded Bellew, and Noreen and Gerry Forde gave their friend a home-baked cake and helped with the festivities.
“Tomorrow I start my second 100 years,” Bellew said in his front yard, standing unaided and smiling broadly in the 40-something degree temperature.
“Today, members of the Easton Police Department, Easton EMS, Easton Fire Department, First Selectman Bindelglass and I were pleased to celebrate Easton resident Mr. Peter Bellew’s 100th birthday,” Doyle said after the Nov. 19 birthday celebration. “I made him an honorary member of the Easton Police Department and presented him with a certificate and an Easton police regulation ball cap. It is truly a great accomplishment. As Mr. Bellew said, today is day one for the next hundred.”
“What a man,” Bindelglass said. “He is sharp as can be and lives alone. It is remarkable. What a thrill to meet him. All of Easton wishes him the best.”
A widower, Bellew was born and raised in Ireland and arrived in the United States after World War II. Het his wife, Ann MacInerney, in 1950, and the couple lived in Fairfield prior to moving with their family to Easton in 1985. Bellew is one of the cofounders of the Gaelic American Club at 74 Beach Road in Fairfield.
“Peter normally travels back-and-forth to Ireland every year to visit his home place,” Noreen Forde said. “But not recently, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Over the years Peter had his own band and played for many weddings and dances. He also loves to Irish Set Dance and is a great dancer. I met Peter with my husband 20 years ago at the Fairfield Irish Festival. We’ve been friends ever since.”
John Brannelly, chairperson of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Committee, attended the event to celebrate Bellew and record the special day in photos.
“Peter Bellew was the grand marshal of the 2009 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade in recognition for his decades of service to the Irish-American community,” Brannelly said.
“Peter Bellew was the grand marshal of the 2009 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade in recognition for his decades of service to the Irish-American community,” said John Brannelly, chairperson of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Committee. “On Peter Bellew’s 100th birthday, our Parade Committee celebrates him for his now-century of service, especially for his contributions to the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield.”
