TUSCON, Ariz., March 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- William Bellano, former President of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, passed away on March 8, 2004, at the age of 91. Bellano led a Horatio Alger life of rags to riches. Orphaned from Italian immigrant parents, his employment began with a clerkship in an ice cream factory, peaked as chief executive of one of the world's largest oil companies, and included numerous decorations as a World War II hero while serving with the United States Marines.
A photo of Mr. Bellano is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/?pkgid=848
Bellano had a long and distinguished worldwide career in the mineral extractive, processing and energy industries. After earning a degree in mining engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1936, he was determined to learn the mining business from "...below the ground, up." He spent several years working in the high mountain mines of Peru but, shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked, he joined the Marines and became a frontline lieutenant during the war. He volunteered for one of the war's most dangerous roles -- a bomb demolition expert in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded Bellano the Silver Star for gallantry in the Marshall Islands. Bellano later received two bronze medals for heroism in Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Tinian.
Already the subject of numerous wire service stories for his war exploits, Bellano became known as the daredevil who, after D-Day, trained a team that cleared over 50 minefields in the Philippines. Major General Harry Schmidt, commanding general of the Fifth Amphibious Corps said, "Bill Bellano is a 32-year-old itinerant coal miner who joined the Marines because he wanted to see more explosions." Upon returning to the United States, he quickly expanded his reputation with successes in the mining industry. Ironically, Bellano was always described by his friends as a modest -- and shy man.
He rapidly worked his way up the corporate ladder -- and around the country -- beginning as a miner, then engineer and then supervisor with companies such as International Mineral (in Chicago, Illinois and Lakeland, Florida), Island Creek Coal Company (in Cleveland, Ohio and in Huntington, West Virginia), Glen Alden Corporation (in Kingston, Pennsylvania and in New York City) and Occidental Petroleum Corporation (in Los Angeles). He was an internationally recognized energy expert. Bellano's early retirement in 1972 proved difficult because of a continued demand for his expertise. He answered numerous requests from industry giants, consulting for D.K. Ludwig of National Bulk Carriers and for Howard Keck of Superior Oil and other clients that required him to travel the globe. Always proud to serve his country, he was a frequent consultant to U.S. senators and a member of the President's Energy Advisory Council. At the request of his wife, Dee, he retired for good in 1990.
Mr. Bellano was born into a large Italian immigrant family, but he was orphaned at six years old and grew up in a Philadelphia boarding school for impoverished orphans, Girard College, graduating in 1930. In 1932, after two years of working in miscellaneous jobs at depression era wages, he had somehow saved enough money to enter Penn State where he was then able to earn a scholarship that allowed him to complete his formal education. In 1974 the University honored him with its distinguished Alumnus Award. He was also named a "Life Member" of the American Institute of Mining, The Canadian Institute of Mining, and the coal industry's "Old Timers Club."
Bellano was active in many charitable organizations during his life and never forgot his humble roots as a struggling orphan who was given an opportunity to succeed thanks to the Girard College School for Orphans, the Penn State University Scholarship and concerned mentors. He always claimed that he was blessed and that it was his responsibility to share time, energy and money with society's marginalized, so they might see hope in a world where they may have seen none. Even though a decorated war hero, an accomplished corporate executive, and counsel to Presidents, Bellano never lost sight of those who were less fortunate.
Prior to his passing, Bellano laid the groundwork for the Bill Bellano Foundation which was established to support the disenfranchised who were of great importance to him -- orphans, foster children, and children with learning disabilities. The family -- his wife of 59 years, Dee, son, Bob, daughter, Barbara, and four grandchildren -- have asked that donations be made to the Bill Bellano Foundation:
The Bill Bellano Foundation
100 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1840
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 656-7367 or (310) 656-7347
A private memorial service for family and close friends of the William Bellano family shall be held in Westwood, California on Wednesday, March 24 at 10:00am:
Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary
1218 Glendon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 474-1579
A photo is also available via NewsCom (www.newscom.com).
