Herbert J. Bellairs

Herbert J. Bellairs, founder and owner of a Wyomissing real estate business, died June 27 at 9:05 p.m. in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient eight days.

Bellairs, 77, of Sturbridge Court, Wyomissing, was the husband of Vivian (Price) Bellairs.

Bellairs was the founder and owner of Bellairs Real Estate, Wyomissing, from 1954 until his retirement in 2000.

He was also a teacher for 13 years in the Graduate Realtors Institute. Bellairs also taught 10 years at Penn State Berks Lehigh Valley College, Spring Township, and five years at Albright College.

In 1975, he co-authored a textbook, "Modern Real Estate Practices in Pennsylvania", now in its ninth edition.

Bellairs was active in the National Association of Realtors and served as treasurer from 1987 to 1988; regional vice president, chairman of the professional standards committee, and the committee director, all in 1983.

In the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors he was president in 1979; president- elect in 1978; and president of Greater Reading/Berks Association of Realtors in 1966.

He was honored as the Realtor of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors in 1983, and in 1973 by the Greater Reading/Berks Association of Realtors.

He also received the honor of being designated realtor emeritus in 1998 for being in the real estate business continually for 50 years.

Born in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, he was a son of the late Herbert and Amelia (Terhune) Bellairs.

Bellairs was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a trustee and other committees.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He remained in the Naval reserve after active duty for 30 years, retiring as a full commander.

Belliars graduated from Stroudsburg High School and obtained a bachelor of science degree in 1947 in economics from the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania. He also held the GRI (Graduate Realtors Institute) and a CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designations in real estate.

Bellairs is also survived by a daughter, Deborah (Bellairs) Cusick, Chapel Hill, N.C.; and two sons, Jacques, Virginia Beach, Va., and Thomas, Shillington.

Other survivors include a sister, Alice (Bellairs) Gruitt, East Stroudsburg; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church. Entombment will be private in Laureldale Cemetery Mausoleum, Tuckerton. The Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.