Wake: The family will receive visitors on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM in St. Luke’s Church, 84 Long Lots Road, Westport. Burial: Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms Rd., Westport.
James S. Belta
November 1, 1923 ~ January 7, 2012
James S. Belta, 88, a lifelong Westport resident passed away peacefully on January 7th after a long illness. He was surrounded by his devoted family. He is survived by his wife Dina of 68 years, his children Connie Von Zwehl (Vinny), Gregory Belta (Mary Ann), Donna Belta and James Belta (Karen). Additionally he is survived by loving grand-children Angela Belta (Danny Lopez), Laura Loffredo (John), Jessica Walsh (Rob), Caitlin Belta, James Belta, Kelsey Belta and adorable great grandchildren Sophia Lopez, Elizabeth Lopez and Connor Walsh. He was pre-deceased by his parents Gregorio and Concettina Belta, his wife’s parents, Gaicinto and Grace Paoletti, his son in law, Nick Koutsoliontos and his beloved brother-in-law, John Paoletti.
In 1945 after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Jimmy and his parents moved their small produce business from South Norwalk to an unproductive potato farm in Westport, CT. Throughout the years the farm raised poultry, eggs, vegetables, annual plants and flowers, poinsettias and most recently the Connecticut native tomatoes and potted basil. He was also a member of both the CT Farm Bureau and the CT Greenhouse Growers Association. Even in his illness he continued to raise locally grown produce for the Connecticut Growers Market involving 3 additional generations of the family. He was a devoted family man but his passion was always his farm. He labored tirelessly, experimented often and always had a fierce pride for the things that were “Natives of Westport”.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM in St. Luke’s Church, 84 Long Lots Road, Westport. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms Rd., Westport.
Jim was a most remarkable person you could ever meet; certain of the purpose for life , his love for Dina, their children, and all the family members was ever present….. He would share his wisdom and knowledge and taught that those things had to be earned….
I consider myself luckey to be a friend…………….
Greg, Maryann and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Dear Dina:
How well I remember the “good old days” with loving family, good friends, happy times and lots of laughs. May fond memories bring you comfort. God Bless! Sincerely and with hugs, Arlene Twiss.
Jimmy and Karen,
Although it seems a lifetime ago, still, some of my fondest memories are the years I spent close to your family.
Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers now and always.
Jimmy and Karen and family,Jim i know its been a few years ,however i think of you and Karen often.Your a great person and what made you grate was having a father like Jim another master of all trades.MY memory of him with him yelling for his lazy saint bernard is still clear in my mind.Carry on with what he gave all of you……. Ken Ciuci
Dear Mrs. Belta & family,
I just read in todays Westport news that Jim had passed, I am very sorry for your loss, as you know Jim was a fighter and a hard working man who loved farming.
In my visits, Jim and I would share are health conditions because we both have diabeties and heart conditions.
He never complained about the any of the treatments he went through. I will miss him.
Sincerely,
Gerald F. Romano, Jr.
To James, Karen, Children and all Family Members
We are saddened to learn of the death of James Belta. His presence will not only be missed in your family but the community of Westport. His love for his tomatoes reflects the love he provided to all his children and their children. We pray for his soul
and all members of his family.
Lou, Caren and Daniel
We are very sorry for your loss. You are
all in our thoughts and prayers.
Shawn and Laura Calandriello-Robinson
Mrs. B, Karen, Jimmy and The Gang…. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your husband, father-in-law, and gradfather. I will forever have fond memories of the farm … one such memory is when Gina was just a baby eating fresh corn on the cobb with Mr. B on the porch… both bare chested with butter and salt all over their fingers enjoying everything summer had to offer on the farm – I think I have that picture somewhere to be honest with you …LOL. I love you all so much and miss my home town and the farm more than you can imagine. It won’t be the same without Mr. B…. hugs and kisses to everyone! Wish I was there to be with you all during this time of sorrow….xoxoxox
Dear Vinny and Connie,
We share in your sorrow at losing your dad who was such an important presence in your lives. Please know how much we care for you and your family.
God Bless
Moira and Jimmy