FRANKFORT – Mr. Joseph M. “Joe” Belmont, age 80, a lifelong Frankfort resident, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, February 8, 2020 in the privacy and comfort of his home. Born on July 31, 1939, Joe was the son of the late Michael C. and Mary M. (Favat) Belmont. He graduated from Frankfort Central Schools with the Class of 1957 and went on to continue his education at Utica College, transferring to Syracuse University for his Junior and Senior years. He earned two Bachelor’s Degrees: one in Electrical Engineering and another in Mathematics, with a minor in Physics, through Syracuse University in 1962. On June 23, 1962, Joseph was wed to the former Donna Marie Perillo after a five year courtship, and together they shared in a marriage spanning over fifty-seven years. Donna was the love of Joe’s life; togetherness was the root of their relationship and it was rare to see one of them without the other. Their marriage was bound together by both God and the traditional values on which they raised their children and grandchildren. Joe was hard-working to his very core and began his thirty plus year career with General Electric, GE Aerospace Division, shortly after his graduation from college. He retired in 1995 as a Unit Manager of Martin Marietta’s Utica Division. Even though he put his all into his work, for Joe, the number one priority in life was his family. They always came first, no matter what, and nothing gave him greater joy than the times he spent with those he loved most. After his retirement, he tirelessly cared for his father-in-law, Julius during his last years, and was also instrumental in the upbringing of his beloved grandson, Jon. Joe enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid golfer, a skilled big and small game hunter, and always kept an immaculate yard and landscape at his home. In his early years, he was a die-hard fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was extremely intelligent and had a love for poetry and writing; consistently contributing to the local newspapers. He was a teacher and mentor, not only to his own children, but also to many others; from designing community outreach projects for the high school English classes to guiding young people to college and vocations. Joe was always encouraging people to attain their potential and believe in themselves. Education was extremely important to Joe and he passed this wisdom on to many. He never forgot where he came from and was honored to have chaired the Comprehensive District Education Plan at Frankfort-Schuyler Central Schools for many years. He was also instrumental in the success of Frankfort’s Wall of Honor to which he nominated many key individuals over the years. One of his greatest joys in honoring his roots, however, was planning and overseeing the Class of 1957 reunions. His classmates will forever miss their longtime Master of Ceremonies and the way that he made them all laugh, even after all of these years. Not only did Joe give his all to his alma mater, but he also spearheaded the initiative for the Frankfort Downtown Revitalization Grant, which is still in process today. He leaves behind his beloved family to carry on his legacy: his wife, Donna; his daughter, Jill Michelle Belmont of Frankfort; his sons, Michael James “Mike” Belmont and Susan Jennings of Ithaca and James Joseph “Jim” Belmont and wife, Alexandria of Parker, Colorado; his grandchildren, Stephany Belmont, Michael Belmont and Sam Belmont and their mother, Tracy; Colin Ardolino and Evan Belmont and their mother, Karrie; and Jon Kealy, GiannaRose Belmont, Zine Jennings and Zaina Jennings. He also leaves his sisters and brothers-in-law, MaryJane Butcher of New Hartford, Michelle and Steve Luckenbaugh of Manchester, Pennsylvania and Linda and Jim McMaster of Nunda, NY; his sister-in-law, Diane Perillo of Frankfort; and many special friends he made throughout his life, especially members of the Class of 1957. He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Jacqueline Ann Belmont; his granddaughter, Amanda Rose Belmont; his in-laws, Julius and Rose Perillo; and his brothers-in-law, Julius Perillo and Richard Butcher. Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation for Joe on Thursday afternoon, February 13, 2020, from 4:00PM – 6:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Joe’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Thursday at 6:00PM at the funeral home, immediately upon the conclusion of visitation, with Deacon James Bower, officiating. Spring interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frankfort. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 OR to the American Heart Association, 125 Business Park Drive #106, Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Belmont family has entrusted Joe’s final arrangements to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.