Albert T. Belinsky, Montrose, Pa., died Tuesday, September 24, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born September 22, 1928, in Berwick. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Mary Scheno; his daughters, Rosemary and Jane Belinsky Spellman; brothers, John and Joseph; and sisters, Anne and Nell. Al was a 1946 graduate of Berwick High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 187th Glider Infantry, 11th Airborne Division, spending most of his enlisted time in Japan. After his honorable discharge, he was employed as a welder at AC&F Industries in Berwick. In 1951, he enrolled at Bloomsburg State Teacher's College, graduating in May of 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Al was a standout pitcher and outfielder for the Bloomsburg Huskies baseball team from 1951-1953. In 1952, while playing for the Conyngham's Rubes, he became the first player in history to hit three homeruns in a single game at Hazleton's Cranberry Park, a feat that had been attempted by numerous major and minor leaguers, including Babe Ruth. After signing a professional baseball contract, Al continued his career in the West Texas-New Mexico League, playing for the Plainview Ponies, the Lubbock Hubbars and the Borger Gassers during the 1953 and 1954 seasons. Following graduation from Bloomsburg, Al and his wife, Mary moved to Montrose, where Al began his teaching career in the Montrose School District. During his tenure, he touched many lives and lived up to his mantra that "every student has to have at least one success a day." In addition to teaching, Al also founded the varsity golf team and coached varsity baseball. He retired in 1990 after 35 years of devoted service. Outside of the classroom, Al was a founding member of the Montrose Kiwanis Club, a 38-year member of the Montrose Municipal Authority and an avid trout fisherman. He was also a long-standing member of the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church. However, his most defining characteristic was his unconditional love and devotion to his family. He will be forever loved, adored and sadly missed. A visitation will be held Friday, September 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home in Montrose, Pa., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Name of Mary on Saturday, September 28, beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Name of Mary Cemetery.

Published in Scranton Times on September 26, 2013.