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Robert J. (Bob) Bellisle was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in November 1930. He attended local schools and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1949.

Bob's experience with the Navy started while still in high school. He joined the Naval Reserve in November, 1947 and served for almost two years, being discharged in October 1949 on his enlistment in the regular navy. During those two years he was promoted to Seaman. He experienced three two week training cruises; two on USS PCE 843 with cruises to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Havana, Cuba and a cruise on USS Livermore DD 429 to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cruise on Livermore lasted several days longer than expected when the ship ran aground off Cape Cod and had to be towed back to Boston.

Bob enlisted in the US Navy and started boot camp on 03 October 1949 in Company 288 at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Following boot camp he attended Radar and Combat Information Center Schools at Norfolk before being assigned to USS Maury AGS 16, an oceanographic and survey ship. Just after he reported aboard Maury departed for ten months in the Persian Gulf.

On returning to the USA he was transferred to USS Hyades AF28. Hyades was a provision store-ship whose primary mission was provisioning the Sixth Fleet. In his year on Hyades they made twelve Atlantic crossings.

Early in 1952 the Navy was expanding the radar picket submarine program and was looking for rated Radarmen. Bob had attained RD2 so he volunteered, was sent to New London for submarine school and then to USS Burrfish SSR 312. He served on Burrfish until discharge in August 1954. He attained RD1 and qualified in submarines while serving on Burrfish.

On discharge Bob was hired by New England Telephone Co as a central office installation technician. Telco employed him for thirty-two years, retiring in 1987 as a Network Manager, designing intra-state switching networks. Bob continued his education after the Navy at U.Mass., Lowell for electrical engineering and later at Hesser College for a Business Management degree. After retirement Bob started Belle Isle Travel Service in Hampstead, N.H. where he spends almost every day.

Bob has spent many years involved in community service leadership activities primarily with Lions Clubs International. He has served the Lions in many leadership roles as a club president and as District Governor for New Hampshire . He has over the years organized five new Lions Clubs in New Hampshire.

In addition, Bob is a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a Life Member of the Telephone Pioneers, a member of American Legion Post 48 in NH and a member of Navy League.

Bob became involved with USSVI in 1993 when invited to join. He became a member of Thresher Base and served that Base as Commander from 1999 to 2002. He is very active in the annual USS Thresher Memorial Service, honoring our shipmates lost in that tragic event. He works with those at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in this event as well as the annual Submarine Memorial Day event at USS Albacore Park in Portsmouth . He is a Life Member of U.S. Submarine Veterans and a Holland Club member.

He married the former Lillian Tamulonis in September 1953. They have two sons (Robert Jr. and James) and two daughters (Nancy and Martha). They now have ten grandchildren.

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Last updated by Kevin Galeaz on March 15, 2007 18:31
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