Stephen "Bud" Belich
Jan. 11, 1938-Aug. 5, 2023
Menlo Park, California

Stephen ‘Bud’ Belich said farewell to this world on Saturday August 5, 2023 at his home in Menlo Park. He was 85 years young, lived a full life and leaves a legacy of love, friendship and joy in family, work and community.

Bud was born in 1938 in Clairton, PA, a small town on the Monongahela River just outside of Pittsburgh, to Mike and Catherine Belich. Along with his sisters Cathy and Mary Ann, Bud was a teenager when the family decided to pursue their California dream. Persevering through difficult times, they successfully established a local market and settled in Menlo Park.

Bud attended Menlo-Atherton high school, where he met his to-be lifelong friends and future brothers-in-law Harry and Pete Vasilakos. Against everyone’s better judgment, Pete introduced Bud to his younger sister Mary, and just like that it was love. Bud and Mary were married in 1959 and built their home on the family homestead in West Menlo Park where Mary was born and raised. In the next three years, sons Steve Jr. and Peter were born. They, along with Mary’s brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, lived and grew up largely on the Peninsula. Most holiday celebrations were large gatherings filled with love and happiness.

Bud got his start at local industrial supply company A.J. Glessner in San Francisco. In 1975, he and two partners started B.E.E. Industrial Supply and built a successful Bay Area business over more than 30 years, propelled by Bud’s warm personality and his will to succeed. After B.E.E. merged with a regional safety group, he continued working with his long-time customers who became friends through the years.

As much as he was energized by his work, Bud loved celebrating life with family and friends even more. An original 49er Faithful fan, he and Mary held season tickets for many years and there were legendary Candlestick tailgate parties at their motorhome. He was passionate about sports cars throughout his life, from his classic ‘59 Vette to his treasured Ferrari 308. He loved rock ‘n roll music, whether seeing the Stones, cutting up to Credence and Skynyrd or introducing his boys to the Eagles at Day on the Green. Hawaii was a favorite destination for the pair, and they delighted in exploring the islands with dear friends. Bud and Mary were wonderful entertainers and hosts, throwing theme parties and Greek Easter gatherings that the locals still marvel at to this day.

Bud is survived by his wife Mary Belich, sons Steve Belich Jr. (Pauline) and Peter Belich, grandchildren Stephen III, Alexandra, Theoren, Joshua and Kayla, great-grandson Gabriel, sisters Cathy Giraldes and Mary Ann Steiner, brother-in-law Pete Vasilakos, sister-in-law Theofana Hegis and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends around the globe. Bud joins his grandson Nicholas Belich and his beloved brothers-in-law John Hegis, George Giraldes and Harry Vasilakos at the side of the Lord.

Tags: business