Peter C. Bellisario

Brigadier General Peter C. Bellisario, USAF (Ret) passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026 with his loving family at his side after a decade-long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy defined by the things he cherished most: God, family, and service to the nation.

Peter was born on July 2, 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Vincenzo and Erminia Bellisario. He grew up in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh as the second-oldest child of five (Lorraine Geier (deceased) (Ray); Egidio (Mary K); Louise Rudek (Ray); Pasquale (deceased) (Diana)). Growing up blocks from Forbes Field was just the start of his love of Pittsburgh sports teams. Peter graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1959, and graduated from Duquesne University in 1964 as part of the Duquesne University ROTC program. He married his college sweetheart Joan Marie Bilotta on August 22, 1964, and they were blessed with three children, Angela, Loretta, and Vincent.

His service began in 1964 as a newly commissioned officer in the United States Air Force Medical Service Corps, and Peter subsequently spent 30 years in the USAF, culminating as the Director of Medical Support and Chief of the USAF Medical Service Corps Office of the Surgeon General, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. His duty stations included: Gunter AFB (AL), Travis AFB (CA), Saigon (South Vietnam), the United States Air Force Academy (CO), Ramstein AB (West Germany), Armed Forces Staff College (VA), Andrews AFB (MD), Patrick AFB (FL), Sheppard AFB (TX), RAF Station Bicester (UK), and Bolling AFB (DC). In August 1991, Peter was the second USAF MSC officer to attain the rank of Brigadier General and he retired in August 1994. The USAF MSC established the BG Peter C Bellisario Air Force Young Healthcare Administrator of the Year Award in 2000, honoring the top company grade Medical Service Corps officer across the entire USAF – both active duty and reserve component.

Peter returned to Pittsburgh after his retirement as a continued mentor and leader for his community. He served as President of the Brighton Heights Citizen Federation, the Commander of the General Ridgeway Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW), and President of the local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He also was on the Board of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and served on two committees for the Allegheny Health System, including the Institutional Review Board, which oversees research and patient treatment for the AHS network and the subcommittee that evaluated adverse events involving health care. He was a neighborhood representative on the patient care safety committee.

Pete also loved traveling with Joan over the course of their 61 years of marriage, including many international trips to Ireland, Australia, France (including Paris and Normandy), New Zealand, South Korea, China, the Netherlands, Spain, and many trips to Italy (including the ancestral home of his mom and dad) as well as countless trips in the US (including Alaska and Hawaii). When at home in Pittsburgh, Pete loved to love (and loved to hate) the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Duquesne Dukes basketball team.

Above all, Pete was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He traveled far and wide to be with his family, never missing a baptism, graduation, or wedding. His loved ones will miss his quick wit, humor and his ever present dash of sarcasm. His family rejoices in knowing that he has gone home to be with the Lord, and that he has reunited with his parents Vincenzo and Erminia Bellisario, his sister Lorraine Geier, his brother Pasquale Bellisario, and many other beloved family members. Peter is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his daughter, Angela L. Danison (Timothy) of San Francisco, CA - grandchildren Christopher, Alana, Samantha and Peter; his daughter, Loretta M. McClellan (Jonathan) of Annapolis, MD - grandchildren Elizabeth (Stephen) and Kathleen (Ty); his son, LTC Vincent J. Bellisario, USA Ret (Eun) of Rio Rancho, NM - grandchildren Tyler (USMC 1stSgt) (Araceli), Collin (US Army combat veteran), Gabriella and Dominic; his brother Egidio Bellisario (Mary K) and his sister, Louise Rudek (Ray).

Viewing will be held on February 15, 2026, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Thomas P Kunsak Funeral Home, Inc. 3552 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. A Mass will be held on February 16, 2026 at 10 AM at Saint Cyril of Alexandria Church - Christ Our Savior Parish, 3854 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Full military honors will be rendered at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to either of the following two causes that were close to Peter’s heart. In both cases, donations can be made “in honor of BG (Ret) Peter C Bellisario.”

Saint Cyril of Alexandria Academy is raising funds for a new school that will open in the Fall 2026, located in Brighton Heights.  Mail your donation to:  3854 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA   15212.  Learn more about the Saint Cyril of Alexandria Academy at https://www.stcyrilacademy.com/.

BGen Don Wagner Perpetual Scholarship Fund, which supports children and/or grandchildren (to include stepchildren and step-grandchildren) of USAF MSC officers enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs in health care management or related fields of study at accredited educational institutions of higher learning. Mail your check to: Brig Gen Donald B. Wagner Perpetual Scholarship Fund, PO Box 780833, San Antonio, TX 78278. Learn more about the scholarship fund at https://www.wagnerscholarshipfund.org/.

Major Awards and Decorations Include:

Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal with service star

Vietnam Service Medal with service star

Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal