Stanley H. Belchik

Stanley was born Jan. 24, 1939 in Peckville, PA to Stanley Belchik, Sr. and Julia Metro Belchik. Stanley passed away peacefully at home in Shepherdstown Dec. 17, 2020, under the loving care of his wife Beverly.

In addition to his wife and daughters, Courtenay and Sheila, he is also survived by his younger brother Kenneth and his wife Candace of Gore VA, his sisters Rosemary Sojka of South Carolina and Shirley Piccini and her husband Gaetano of Oxford NJ and Joan Wernock of Elizabeth, NJ, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Stan attended Holy Ghost Parochial elementary school in PA and when the family relocated to New Jersey he graduated from Linden High school in 1957, he went on to work at the Alexion Brothers Hospital for a brief period until he found employment at the manufacturing firm of Thomas & Betts in Elizabeth, NJ. But Stanley always wanted to be in a position wherein he could help others, and when he found that the City of Newark was holding an exam for Police Officers, he filed for it.

After passing the Civil Service exam for the Newark Police Department, he was hired, but approximately two years later, a massive layoff occurred which affected the police department and Stan was temporarily laid off. Never one to let misfortune get the best of him, he took advantage of his law enforcement background and almost immediately secured a position as a Railroad Policeman with the Delaware and Hudson Railway for the state of New Jersey.

He was rehired and immediately demonstrated his love for his profession by performing his duties in an exemplary manner. Detective Belchik was awarded the first of four Class “A” Medals of Honor in the course of his illustrative career, in addition to being the recipient of four Class “B” Medals of Merit and 10 Class” C” Medals of Merit for excellent Police Work and 57 Command Citations.

His work with the Newark Police department was characterized in the national television documentary “Shoot – Don’t Shoot” and as a result, many municipalities, state and federal law enforcement agencies have commended Detective Belchik for being one of the best training officers in the country. He retired from the Newark Police Department on April 1, 2001.

One of the most rewarding experiences of his work was when he was assigned to the security detail when Pope John Paul II visited the USA on Oct. 4-5 1975.

Stan was a 32nd degree Mason and was a brother in the Copestone-Ophir Lodge No. 108 F.& A.M. in Kearney, NJ.

He was an avid football fan and attended many Shepherd University games, especially when his brother Ken played QB in 1982. He would drive all the way from New Jersey and drive back after the game.

Stan was a loving husband, father, and brother who never held a grudge. He was a gentle giant who could disarm anyone with that smile. He loved God, his Faith and his family. One could never find a more loyal friend and those who knew him cherished that bond.

There was a funeral service 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 200 South Duke St., Shepherdstown, WV, with Father Mathew Rowgh as celebrant.

Condolences maybe express at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.