Published: July 21, 2008 11:37 pm      

Bellomy remembered as a strong Christian

ASHLAND — Russell “Rusty” Bellomy was a man of God.

He defined himself by God’s love and his work to build God’s Kingdom.

On Wednesday, his family will celebrate his faith and the legacy he leaves at a memorial service at Ashland First Church of the Nazarene. Bellomy, 71, was killed Friday night in a motorcycle accident.

In a time of tragedy and loss, his unshakable faith in God and the certainty that he is in heaven with his creator calls for the celebration of his life, not its mourning, said his daughter, Susan Thirion of Clermont, Fla.

“My father had a very strong faith in God and everything he was was because of God, his whole purpose in being was God,” she said. “Dad just had a love of God and a love of his family that just came through in everything he did. He was the most honorable and most loving, forgiving, fair man I’ve ever known. Everything he did was for that very purpose. His faith was just unbelievable and unshakable.”

Ashland First Church of the Nazarene Pastor Steve Ruby described Bellomy as “just a very down to earth, real person.

“Who he was here was who he was out in the community,” he said. “In terms of his involvement in the church, he was into everything and a friend to everyone. If something had to be done, Rusty was here to do it.

“Anytime he was asked to be involved in something he was more than willing to step up to the plate and offer himself and his service to the church and ultimately to the Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Bellomy’s faith translated to a passion for mission work. For the most recent 29 years of his life, he was dedicated to Eastern Kentucky Work and Witness, participating in more than 30 work and witness trips across the globe. He served as director of the organization for 11 years.

A mechanic who worked for 39 years at AK Steel’s roundhouse, Bellomy made his mission work a physical expression of his faith.

“Rusty was a man who loved to work with his hands, so working with his hands was a way of using what God had given him to extend the mission of Christ both here and around the world,” Ruby said.

Thirion said she has no doubt her father touched many lives, including those of his family.

“Dad had a way of making each and every one of us feel special and loved. We all felt like we were closest (to him). His love was beyond all measure, he will be so missed,” she said. “We loved him very much. He’s going to be missed. It just leaves a big hole in our hearts and our minds.”

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.