Francois ‘Frank’ Leon Bellavance – Elizabeth, formerly of Clairton
Francois “Frank” Leon Bellavance, 89, of Elizabeth, formerly of Clairton, died July 27, 2019. Coming from the small town of East Hardwick, Vt., he became a legend in his own time. Our “King of The Road” drove for over 59 years with NO chargeable accidents. He spent 46 of those years driving for the family business, A. Bellavance & Sons, and finished the remaining 13 with Cheswick, Pa., based trucking company, Perlistein. He was honored as a “top driver” numerous times for his impressive driving record, averaging 100,000 miles a year. Frank was known far and wide as a dedicated family man. He adored his wife Joan and enjoyed taking her out to breakfast every morning. They were usually hand in hand wherever they went, often in coordinating outfits. They were very proud of raising five children together and watching their family grow…and grow … and grow. All together they have 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with number 16 on the way. He loved everyone as an individual and lived to teach each one something from his life. His wife Joan said that God sent him to her and gave her the greatest life any woman could have. Frank lived with God and admired three men in his life — his father, Aime Bellavance, John Wayne and Donald Trump. From a country farm boy to our Tarzan and hero; he was and is the family rock. In addition to his wife, Joan S. (neé Gash), Frank is survived by children, Michael (Andrea) of Clairton, Cynthia Schlessinger of Elizabeth, Julianne (Richard) Cochran of North Versailles, Scott (Lorrie) of New Eagle and Tammy (Walter) Whiteman of Carroll Township; grandchildren, Eric, Nicole, Christopher, Stacey, Max, Tiffany, Daniel, Sydney, Jacob, Tabitha, Brianna, Scott, Jr. and Chantelle; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Albert of Hardwick, Vt., Alice Wheeler of Gloucester, Mass., Beatrice Lussier of St. Albans, Vt., and Doris Dufresne of Marshfield, Vt.; along with many nieces and nephews. He also preceded in death by his parents, Aime and Beatrice (Godbout); siblings, Therese Dufresne, Alphonse, Jeanne Dufresne, Art, Joseph, Paul, Leon, Laurent and Gertrude Neal; and son-in-law, David Schlessinger. Family and friends will be received at WILLIG FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2019, and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, with a Parastas service at 7 p.m. At 9 a.m. Thursday, a Panachyda service will be held in the funeral home chapel. Funeral liturgy will follow at 10 a.m. at Ascension of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church. Father Ivan Mina, Ph.D., will officiate. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com.
