Obituary of Ricardo "Rick" Bellestri

Ricardo Bellestri was born on Thursday, April 23, 1953 in Monroe, Michigan. He is one of five children born from the union of the late Charles and the late Irene (Ellison) Bellestri.

Rick married the love of his life, the former Laura Drouillard on August 5, 1972 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monroe. From this union came the birth of three beautiful daughters. Rick was a self-taught, handy man. He supported his family through employment with Chrysler at Trenton Engine as a machine operator for about twelve years. A jack of all trades, he worked with CB Radios in his own shop in Gibraltar and ran his own plumbing business for several years; taking medical retirement in 1990.

Rick was an avid drag racing fan. He restored cars and race his own drag cars at Milan Speedway for most of his life. He enjoyed traveling, especially visiting Las Vegas. Rick loved to go to casinos and try his luck on the slot machines, often entering slot tournaments. He spent many nights playing rounds of cards with his sisters.

Family meant the most to Rick. Traditionally he spent Sunday’s with his children and grandchildren, sharing and preparing meals.

Ricardo “Rick” Bellestri, age 64 of Monroe passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017 at home with his loving family at his side. In addition to his parents, his passing is preceded in death by his grandson:  Jordan Duncan; and his brothers: Charles “Butch” Bellestri and Herbert Ellison.

To cherish his memory, Rick leaves his beloved wife of forty-four years: Laura Bellestri of Monroe; his three daughters: Stephanie Duncan, Shauna (Kevin) Russeau and Shelley (Chris Bayer) Jacobs; his grandchildren: Hunter Duncan, Kennedy Russeau and Gabrielle Jacobs; sisters: Nadine Faye (Dave) Fetterly Sr. of Monroe, Ruby “Rene” (Merlin) Stoner of Newport and Marie (Gene) Raye of Trenton.

Friends may gather on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 2:00 to 7:00 PM at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street (734)384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will follow at 7:00PM also at Merkle’s, with Pastor Roy Southerland of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. He will be laid to rest at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for funeral arrangements. Online guests may leave words of comfort and inspiration or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.