David James Bellina, 62, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 5, with his family at his side.
He was born in Eureka, Ca. as the only child to Joseph and Elaine Bellina. Over the course of his life he lived in Half Moon Bay, Hollister, San Jose, and, finally, Oakdale, where he was a resident for the past 20 years.
He attended San Benito Joint Union High School, graduating in 1969. He obtained his credentials in welding after graduating from Evergreen Valley Junior College in the early ‘80s.
Mr. Bellina worked as a welder/fabricator for over 20 years in San Jose with FMC. He worked in several divisions of FMC including: Canning, Motor Coach, AED, and Ordinance. After a work related injury, he became a “stay-at-home” dad raising his two daughters Shelane and Mary.
An avid motorsports enthusiast, he started his own racing career at the age of eight, running the Bellina Bug Bomb go kart. He then progressed to motorcycles; producing a black plate #9 in District 36’s Sportsman Class. He went on to ride professionally running: half-miles, miles, and short tracks on the “Back East” tour with his dad. In his 30’s, along with other young fathers, he rode cross country and enduros with a group they named: Team Insanity.
Later in life, he participated in many racing organizations/affiliations including: USARM, SCCA, AMA, ACRL, NASA, GRAND AM, & IMSA.
Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Kathleen Bellina of Oakdale; daughters Shelane Dormandy (Garry) of Cameron Park and Mary Finney (Sean) of Beale Air Force Base; grandchildren James and Kylie Dormandy, and Aiden and Ian Finney.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elaine Bellina.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 16 at the Oakdale Senior Center, 450 E. A St., Oakdale. Come and share your memories with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that remembrances be made to your favorite charity, or a trust fund created for his grandchildren. Please contact his wife, or two daughters, for details on how donations can be made to the trust fund.
