Neil was born on October 16th, 1927, in Midland Park, NJ to Trina Meima Belanus and Cornelius Belanus Sr. His family lived in Saddle River, NJ for most of his childhood where his father was the chauffeur for a family physician. He lost his mother at age 8 during childbirth and his father remarried Henrietta Van Der Heide Belanus who became his” second mother” as she cared for him and his 5 siblings like they were her own. His family in later years moved to Midland Park, N.J.

Neil graduated from Paterson Technical and Vocational High school. He became interested in the woodworking business as a teen, and this soon became his vocation for 22 years as manager of the A.L Don company in Hawthorne NJ.

At the age of 16 while at the bowling alley, he met the love of his life Beatrice Christina Streelman and after serving in the Navy during WWII were married February 19,1949. They shared 74 wonderful years together and raised two children, Kenneth and Lois. Above all, Neils first love was of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They were charter members of Irving Park Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon. He was a devoted husband, father and grandparent. He was known for his outstanding joy, sweet spirit and sense of humor. As a young boy, he demonstrated his compassion for others as he often would help his younger sister with her needs as she endured the challenges of cerebral palsy. He loved music and sang for many years in his church choir and the Wyckoff Male Chorus. He was a talented artist and enjoyed creating paintings and carving many beautiful birds in wood. He became known as “the bird man” in his later years by those who knew him. He was an amazing dad and made many wonderful memories with his kids and grandkids.

As a second career, he spent another 25 years working with a Mechanical Contractor, Lawton & Burns, and enjoyed working with the same company as Bea, who was their bookkeeper for 30 years. They chose to move to Florida upon their retirement and had lots of fun perfecting his artistic skills and took up golf. He enjoyed the weather year-round and loved swimming, walking and biking. In addition he was also a volunteer for Missionary Flights International where he used his background in shipping and receiving to assist purchasing and loading supplies on the planes leaving Florida to provide for missionaries serving in Haiti. He and Bea were members of Boca Community Church and later joined Seacrest Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach Florida as it was closer to home. They also did a lot of traveling and had many unique experiences they shared all over the world.

Time flew by and in 2009 Neil and Bea felt it was time to move closer to family. They chose to move to Raleigh to be near their daughter who they always referred to as “our nurse” and felt they would be in good hands under her care. They spent 16 years living at The Cypress of Raleigh, Retirement Community. Neil and Bea made many new friends and became members of Christ Baptist Church and enjoyed being close to Lois’ family. They became great grandparents during this time and loved to share stories of their family in Oklahoma and North Carolina. Neil spent many hours on the phone with Ken talking about perfecting their shared love of woodworking and discussing ideas for new projects. Ken gave his dad the nickname “Kineel”, and it became how we affectionally referred to him in our family. Lois was “daddy’s little girl” and shared a special bond, there was always laughter and some sort of teasing going on when the two of them were together. Neil said often his son-in-law Wayne was a second son to him, and they enjoyed a wonderful relationship together. Wayne was always there to provide support and a helping hand with delivering groceries, car repairs, maintenance, chauffeur to wood carving classes and doctors’ appts or whatever was needed at the time just as if he was his dad.

Neil is preceded in death by his beloved wife Beatrice (Streelman) in March of 2023, Brother Clarence Belanus and his sisters, Jeannette DeJong, Ruth Kroon, and Julie Belanus. He is survived by his children, Kenneth Belanus (Anne) of Stillwater Oklahoma, Lois Bockmann (Wayne) of Raleigh, N.C. and his sister Florence Degelman of West Milford N.J. 4 grandchildren, Kim Smith ( Shane), Steven Bockman, Brian Belanus ( Micah), David Belanus and 6 great grandchildren. Trichia Allen was a dear friend of Neil, and he enjoyed teaching her about his Dutch heritage and expressions, she cared for him like he was her dad, and his smile would light up the room when they had a chance to visit. His niece Carol Meyer held a special place in his heart as he and Bea made many memories of visiting them over Christmas at her home in Fort Myers Florida. Elaine was his firstborn niece and she and her husband Craig always had extended an open invitation to stay at their home during their visits to New Jersey. Neil shared about these visits and always highlighted the time Craig and Elaine took he and Bea to see Saddle River where he grew up and shared precious memories of his childhood.

The family wishes to thank our Father in Heaven for blessing Neil with 97 amazing years and all the wonderful memories we were able to share with him. We have the assurance of knowing that he is in his Saviors presence for all eternity. For the past two years, he yearned to be in his heavenly home and thought of the time he would be reunited with his soul mate, Bea, for eternity. We can only imagine what this reunion was like and hold on to the comfort that we will also be together again. He developed an expression during the last year when he was tired and ready to go home after his visits for Sunday dinner at Lois and Wayne’s home, “TIMEZUP”. The last week of his life he simply said,” My “TIMEZUP”. When he entered heaven, we know he heard “well done my good and faithful servant”.

We are grateful for the Transitions Life Care team and the entire staff at The Rosewood Care Center on the campus of The Cypress of Raleigh.

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”