PORT JERVIS – Retired Port Jervis City Councilman George Belcher died on Christmas Day. He was 91.
Mayor Kelly Decker said he served the community in a number of ways.
“He let you know he was a US Marine first, but he was a councilman to the people of the second ward in Port Jervis, but more importantly to the people in Port Jervis,” the mayor said. “He would emphatically state in many of our meetings how much he saved through negotiations with Orange and Rockland (Utilities) for the city to have gas and electric savings.”
Belcher served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict and when he returned home, he had a career as a general traffic manager retiring from VAW in Ellenville.
In addition to his many civic activities, Belcher served on the city’s Strategic Planning Group, the Port Jervis Tourism Board, Cable Commission and West End Park Committee.
His wife, Linda, passed away earlier this year.
Decker said Belcher was “very dedicated to our city.”
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday with the funeral service on Friday at 11 a.m. from Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Street in Port Jervis, the Rev. Mary Buttons officiating. Interment will follow at Rural Valley Cemetery.
