Dr. Joseph John Bellinghiere, D.D.S.

Dr. Joseph John Bellinghiere, DDS August 24, 1922 – May 15, 2013 Age 90 Joseph passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by sons Dr. Joseph John Bellinghiere Jr., David Anthony Bellinghiere, and daughter-in-law Alice Bellinghiere; brothers Frank and Louis Bellinghiere and sisters Lucille Schneider and Nancy Dillion. He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Stephen Ford, son and daughter-in-law Dr. Ross and Kathleen Bellinghiere, daughter and son-in-law Gloria and Mel Tingley, daughter and son-in-law Mary and Dan Healy, son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Janice Bellinghiere, sister Nancy Voss, thirteen grandchildren, and family friend Dr. Kathy Babcock. Joseph was born on August 24, 1922, at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska Joe’s first job was selling newspapers at the age of 9. When he was 13 he got a job at Metz Brewery making 50 cents an hour. He held numerous jobs as well, including painting houses with his father and selling shoes at the Kinney Shoe Store. In 1940, when he was 18 years old, he went to work at the Louis Sommer Grocery Store at 49th and Dodge St. After leaving Sommer’s, he went to Union Pacific Railroad to try to get a job. He waited in line for four days, being passed over each day. On the fifth day they called him in and hired him on March 17, 1941. He quit his job at the U.P. and enlisted in the Navy on September 30, 1942. After boot camp at the U.S. Naval Training Station in San Diego, he served on the destroyer Wilson in the South Pacific (March 28, 1943 to June 30, 1943). He then attended Submarine School at New London Submarine Base, Connecticut, from August 13, 1943 to January 1, 1944. In February 1944 he returned from New London on leave and married Emily Baade on February 15. He reported to the submarine Cavalla on February 29 as Seaman 1st class. On their first war patrol they sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, for which they received the Presidential I Unit Citation. After four patrols, he was transferred off the Cavalla, later being assigned to the submarine Tuna. At the time of his discharge on October 1, 1945 he had risen to the rank of Torpedoman 2nd Class. After the war he returned to Union Pacific. He started in the pre-dental program at Creighton University in January of 1946. By taking summer classes in 1946 and 1947, he was able to complete the three-year program in two years. Joe began dental school at Creighton in 1948. Seven hundred men wanted to get into Creighton’s Dental School that year – 40 were chosen. He continued to work at the Union Pacific all through college and dental school until 1951. Dr. Joe graduated in May 1951 and began practicing dentistry at 1702 1/2 S. 10th Street in Omaha, just few blocks from where he had grown up. He remained at that location until his retirement 51 years later. He lived by three principles: love of God, love of family, and love of food. He worked from the age of 9 to the age of 80 and will be remembered by his work ethic, charitable generosity, and his loving ways. Private Funeral Services May 17, 2013 Memorials to Siena/Francis House, Open Door Mission, or Juan Diego Center.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900