PALMER TWP., Pa. — Charles “Zeke” Bellis III could be contentious at times, his co-workers said.
Township solicitor William Oetinger said that when he took his role with Palmer's board of supervisors that Bellis would “be a handful.”
But supervisors and members of the public who spoke about Bellis during a board meeting Monday said no one ever questioned his dedication to Palmer and its residents.
"I've not seen somebody who worked so hard at being a supervisor.”Palmer Township solicitor William Oetinger
“In a way, I was right," Oetinger said of his expectations of working with Bellis. "But I've not seen somebody who worked so hard at being a supervisor.
“I genuinely mean he would call me and ask me questions, which as the solicitor to this board and any board, I really do appreciate that.
"It helps this board function better and helps me do my job better, and helped him do his job better.”
Bellis, who died two weeks ago, was memorialized at the meeting, which supervisors started with a moment of silence for him.
Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey Young, a dear friend of Bellis, then invited the rest of the board and the public to share their thoughts on the man and the impact he left on the township.
Dozens attended the meeting to speak about Bellis, and honor his memory as a staunch advocate for youth sports and effective local government.
'A different level of Zeke'
Supervisor Michael Brett said Bellis, who was instrumental to the community’s athletic association, had coached alongside his father in the 1990s.
And while Brett said he never played under Bellis’s tutelage, he valued the time they spent together on the board.
"When he got elected, I found a different level of Zeke that I didn't know was there. I hoped it was there, but I don't know anyone who loved Palmer more than Zeke did.”Palmer Township Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey Young
“The energy he brought was something that was really great," Brett said. "It was hard to deal with, but it kept us all on our toes, and I think it kept himself on his toes.
"Which I think is one of the most important things: that as public leaders, keeping ourselves on our toes and making sure that we always know there's more to learn, which is something that he definitely did."
Supervisor Joseph Armato said that while he initially got off to a rocky start with Bellis, “we became fast friends.”
Armato said that when Bellis first was elected, he presented Armato with a campaign pen, stating, “I’m going to give you this pen, but please don’t stick me with it.”
Supervisor K. Michael Mitchell commended Bellis’s work with the athletic association, and his work in the business world.
Township Planning Director Craig Beavers said it is common to get a slew of questions from supervisors on projects, but Zeke’s insight was something else.
“But Zeke always had some amazing questions that even I never thought of with the work that I do every week,” Beavers said.
“I got a phone call from Zeke with some question about something, and I loved every conversation I had with him, because he always saw a great insight on something I never realized and was working with it.”
Young was visibly shaken by the experience, and struggled to keep himself composed as he spoke about Bellis.
“Those of you know that Zeke and I were good friends for a long time," Young said. "Sometimes we weren't such good friends, but mostly we were really great friends.
"When he got elected, I found a different level of Zeke that I didn't know was there. I hoped it was there, but I don't know anyone who loved Palmer more than Zeke did.”
'He loved Palmer Township'
Bellis’s sister, Bridget Weiss, spoke about the time her brother announced his candidacy as a supervisor, and how she questioned why he would do such a thing.
“When he spoke about the new Palmer football fieldhouse, you could see how proud he was of it.”Palmer Township resident Colin Burke
“After the overwhelming number of stories of mentorship, dedication and passion, it became abundantly clear why he wanted to serve the township, and he leapt,” Weiss said.
“During his brief time as supervisor, he advocated, shared many opinions and made an impact. One thing we can agree on is that he loved Palmer Township.
"To honor his passing, please continue his legacy. Please continue his legacy by advocating dedication and love for Palmer Township, qualities that touch so many in the community.”
Bellis's family received a poster from Young and the supervisors featuring Bellis and the words "Friend, Coach, Public Servant. You will be missed."
Members of the community shared their own tales of Bellis’s extensive work in athletics, his passion for local government, and his love for the township.
One resident, Colin Burke, said Bellis’s community pride was unmatched, and “when he spoke about the new Palmer football fieldhouse, you could see how proud he was of it.”
Burke then requested the board name the fieldhouse in Bellis’s honor, or place a commemorative plaque in his honor on the building.
The board quickly voted to approve the plaque, with Burke providing the board with a draft for the monument, which Young read:
“Charles ‘Zeke’ Bellis III, beloved son of Palmer Township. Zeke lived a life of service, purpose and devotion as a coach, mentor, business leader and township supervisor. He inspired generations with his love for football, his dedication to youth and his commitment to community."
