Longtime Moon Fire Chief Charles Belgie Dies

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA - Visitation and funeral services will be held this week for Charles Belgie, Jr., the Moon fire chief and fire marshal for more than three decades. Mr. Belgie died Dec. 5 in Allegheny General Hospital at the age of 88.

Chief Belgie’s career in the fire service spanned 73 years. He rose through the ranks of the Moon Township Volunteer Fire Department. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began as a firefighter before moving to assistant chief and then succeeding his father as chief.

Chief Belgie was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean War and receiving a commendation for duty in a combat zone and a good conduct medal. After the war, he took the position of lineman for Bell Telephone and later he became an installer of PBX equipment with AT&T.

After his retirement, Chief Belgie continued his public service as Moon emergency management coordinator. He also was a member of the Fire Department Instructors Conference, Tri-State Seminars, the National Fire Academy in Maryland, Allegheny County Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs and Ohio Valley Fireman’s Association.

Chief Belgie also was a member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Patriot Guard Riders Motorcycle Club, Tin Can Sailors Association, PA Fire and Emergency Services Institute.

He is the survived by sons Gary Belgie and Jimmy Belgie; a grandson, Zach Belgie (Maggie); and a great-granddaughter, Katie Jane Belgie.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Gloria Jane (Merriman) Belgie; his parents, Blanche (Bernard) and Charles Belgie; a son, Larry Belgie; sisters Dorothy, Della and Helen Faye Dunmire; and a brother, Alfred Belgie.

Visitation will occur Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Copeland’s Moon Township, 981 Brodhead Road. Further visitation will occur Saturday at the Moon Township Volunteer Fire Department, PSB 1000 Beaver Grade Road, from 12 p.m. until the 1 p.m. service. The cavalcade will process to Sharon Cemetery for the committal. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations in his name to The Childhood Leukemia Foundation.

Photo via Copeland's Moon Township.

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