Rev. Jeffrey T. “Jeff” Belcher, 78, of Rockland Maine, died early February 21, 2018 at the age of 78
. He worked at Madison Hut in 1956 and Zealand in 1957.
He was married for 41 years to Steffie Belcher.
Jeff was born on June 22, 1939 in Melrose, Mass., son to the late C. Francis (Fran) and Beth Belcher. He grew up in Melrose, graduating from Melrose High School. He worked at United Shoe Company before entering Bangor Theological Seminary where he got his Master of Divinity. While finishing his work there, he held the pulpits at the Orrs and Bailey Islands United Church of Christ congregations in Maine. In 1969, he took the Associate Pastorate at the First Church of Christ in Unionville, Conn. In 1976 he became the lead pastorate of the First Congregational Church of Plymouth, Conn. He served at churches in Germantown Hills, Ill., Champaign, Ill., Amesbury, Mass., Newburyport, Mass., and Bristol. He retired in 2009.
Jeff loved human connection through conversation, preaching and sharing with others their spiritual life and questions. He had a smile that brightened the room – one of warmth and also mischief. The weddings, funerals/memorials at which he officiated were unique, personal and memorable. He believed in peace and justice passionately. There were many events from the 60s to the present where he stood shoulder to shoulder with others to protest war and injustice. The memories of these brought pride and joy to him. Jeff had faults as we all do. He focused much of his energy on healing himself. Jeff was a friend of Bill W.
He was predeceased by brothers, Charlie and Bill Belcher; and stepsons, Christopher and Jason Haumann.
In addition to his wife, Steffie, Jeff is survived by children, Catherine Kellogg and husband Andy, Tim Belcher and wife Heather, and Matt Belcher, MD and wife Megan; 10 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. He is also survived by sisters, Joanne B. Browne, and Betsy and partner Amy; brothers, Alan and wife Debbie, and David and wife Sue; as well as 12 nieces and nephews.