Edward N. Belt Jr.

Edward N. Belt Jr. age 64, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 18, 2021. He was born on August 26, 1956 in Cleveland, OH to Edward Neal and Gwendolyn Mae (Moore) Belt and was affectionately known as Chip to family and friends.

He attended Cleveland Public Schools graduating in 1974. It was during high school that he developed a love of science. In 1969 he won the National Science Fair in San Diego, CA. This interest, his curious nature and his achievements led him to pursue a major in Hospital Administration at his alma mater Brown University.

Chip met the love of his life, Gail Champlain while working at Blue Cross Blue Shield. They were married in July 1979. Together they had six children. Chip became the Vice President of Delta Dental of Massachusetts and then the director of Marketing at Blue Cross in 1984. Chip began his own company, Primarily Care and successfully provided compensation, benefits planning and consultation services in Rhode Island for more than 20 years before merging with CBIZ in 2012. He continued to work at CBIZ Primarily Care in Cranston until 2018.

Chip volunteered with numerous organizations serving on community boards and committees. It was his work with the Church that brought him the most joy. Chip was proudly serving on the Bishop’s Council for the Diocese before his transition

Chip was a man of faith. Believing that music reaches the soul and because he loved to sing, Chip started a gospel choir at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church while a member of that parish. He also encouraged musical worship with his immediate and extended family. He usually was the first to start harmonizing at family get-togethers.

Chip actively participated in prison ministry and had recently started mentoring young fathers. He loved the Lord and loved sharing his testimony with others to plant or water to help draw others closer to the Saviour.

Chip loved his family and his two dogs. Although he lived in New England for all of his adult life, he remained an avid Cleveland Browns fan. He and family members who had grown up in Cleveland would watch all the Browns games and call one another for the after game critiques.

Chip is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Gail; his mother Gwendolyn, six children, Edward III, Danielle Antoinette, Patricia Ann Cudjoe, (Thomas), Christopher Harold, Nicholas Arthur, Mazel Bernadette, 11 grandchildren who were a special source of pride and joy, (Manny, Will Elijah, Josiah, Thomas, Frances, Madeline, Joseph, Augustine, Christopher, Savanna), sister Patricia (Robert) Mathis, sisters in love, Francine Haney (Frank), Stacy Lee Hall (Ron), Debbie Champlain, brother in love, Harold Champlain and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, 30 Fenner Street, Providence. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Riverside. The family will greet friends on Wednesday from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. Masks and social distancing are required.