An Army Veteran, real estate executive and man of family and faith who had the uncanny ability to connect with people across all backgrounds and generations, John Hewlett Keyes Belt passed away peacefully on August 1, 2023, at the age of 85.

Born on April 26, 1938, in New York, N.Y., John was the third son of Charles Banks Belt and Emily Willard Keyes Belt. He went on to attend Friends Academy in Locust Valley, N.Y., Greenvale School in Old Brookville, N.Y. and Portsmouth Priory boarding school in Portsmouth, R.I.

After graduating from high school, John attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. An active and involved student, he served as Vice President and Secretary at Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity; participated in Varsity H. Club; ROTC Rifle Team; served as Captain of the JHU Rifle Team; played on the varsity soccer team and was a member of the Catholic community at JHU through the Newman Club.

He graduated in 1961 with a degree in business administration and as a commissioned officer of the Army with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

John went on to serve in the Army Reserves Medical Service Corps, awarded Association of the United States Army and received the Reserve Officers Association Award Ribbon. Promoted to the rank of Captain, John transitioned into the newly created Medical Administration Operations and Logistics out of Fort Dix, N.J., where he oversaw over 170 personnel. He completed his Army service in 1963.

When he was off the job, John's prowess on the tennis court was legendary, and he had a lifelong devotion to the sport. For many decades he was a well-known member of The Creek in Locust Valley, N.Y.

Tennis was so much a part of his life that he even met his future wife, Mary Jane McCabe, on a blind tennis date at the Westhampton Country Club. From the very first serve, he knew that he adored her. In his words, she saved him, and the two went on to have a long and fruitful 44 years together.

After the Army, John became a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and was on the governing council of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). He also served as President and Director of The 58-64 40th St. Corp., Inc. and Widgeon Management Corp. for six decades.

John was also on the Board of Directors for the Business Owners and Managers Association of New York (BOMA-NY), and served as Vice President and President during his tenure. His other accomplishments were many, and include serving on the Board of the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, co-founding and chairing the Codes and Regulations committee actively representing BOMA-NY, and becoming Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) Manager of the Year.

Inquisitive and quick-witted, John was incredibly personable and told jokes that left friends and family in stitches. The ultimate storyteller, he was a consummate conversationalist with a remarkable ability to connect with everyone he met and remember those interactions in exquisite detail. He loved people, and it showed in his commitment to his community.

John also found solace in nature, particularly when working in his garden or watching birds on his walks or while on trips around the world. He and Mary Jane were avid travelers and John collected art from each country he visited, creating an eclectic and interesting collection.

Despite the myriad of professional accomplishments he achieved, his family remained the greatest source of pride and joy in his life.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Jane McCabe Belt; his children, Elizabeth Belt McGregor (William), John (Woody) H.K. Belt Jr. (Jennifer Payne), Timothy W. Belt (Pamela Snodgrass), Amanda Belt Alsheimer (Alan) and Laura Belt Ponomarev (Paul); his grandchildren, William, Benjamin, Luke, Olivia, Grace, Aidan, Riley, Owen, Ciara, Conor, Patrick and John (Jack); and his late brother's wife Emily Hillen (Macsherry) Belt.

He was predeceased by his father, Charles Banks Belt, mother, Emily Willard Keyes Belt; and his two brothers, Charles Banks Belt Jr. and Edward Scudder Belt.

John will be remembered just as he lived, as a man of love and faith, with God and family at his center. His legacy will reverberate through future generations, and the memories of his generosity, wit and storytelling will live on.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to John's favorite charities. He was faithful to the following organizations throughout his life: St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Hospice Care Network Long Island and Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

Service will be held at St. Patrick's Church, Glen Cove, N.Y. at 11 a.m. on August 5th. Immediately following will be a reception at The Creek Club in Locust Valley, N.Y.