The Journal News

Bellew's widow, Eileen, said she was amazed that the event has continued to grow and raise thousands of dollars over the years. Above all, she said, she and her family have gotten back more than they could have imagined. The John Bellew Memorial Fund's fund-raising events have become inspirations for her and John's children, ages 3, 5, 7 and 9, she said.

"They have this sense that their father is still part of the community and that their father, even though he gave his life for the community, is continuing to give to the community through death," Bellew said.

Lt. John Bellew, a Pearl River resident and father of four, was killed Jan. 23, 2005, in a Bronx fire. He was one of six firefighters forced to jump from the fourth floor of the burning building where illegal partitions hampered their escape.

Bellew and another firefighter were killed in the blaze. Garnerville resident Jeffery Cool was also seriously injured after jumping from the building and went through a long recovery and rehabilitation.

The John Bellew Memorial Fund was started in 2005 to give scholarships to students of Pearl River High School and Archbishop Molloy High School - Bellew's alma mater - who have a parent in the Fire Department of New York. It was later expanded to give financial help to families of members of New York City's fire and police departments who have died while off duty.

This year, the fourth annual John Bellew Memorial Fund Golf Outing will be held Monday at golf courses in Stony Point and Thiells to to accommodate the 268 people who registered for the sold-out event along with about 50 volunteers.

The golf outing typically raises between $25,000 and $35,000 each year, said Bill Voigt, who was Bellew's brother-in-law and helped start the memorial fund. The annual Lt. John Bellew Memorial 5K Run also raised $8,000 this year, he said.

Voigt believes the golf outing has become an important day for the community because Bellew's death inspired people to contribute.

"It started as something for us to get together and remember him, but it ended up being where we really are able to give something back. I think people see that and like to be part of it," Voigt said.

Bellew said the golf outing and 5K race have been a place to connect with her family and friends. But most of all, she said those events were the children's favorite days - "two days out of the year when they're almost like rock stars as opposed to being kids without a dad."

"They shine because they know all those people are there because their dad meant something to them," she said.