A lifelong Ridgefield resident was remembered by friends last night during calling hours at Kane Funeral Home.  Tom Belote died Sunday, at Yale New Haven Hospital at the age of 68.  Belote was active in town serving on the Boards of the Ridgefield Community Center, the Land Conservancy and the town's controlled deer hunt. 

First Selectman Rudy Marconi says he was saddened by the loss.  They grew up together, played on the same football team, had the same group of friends and a friendship that survived many many years. 

Marconi says he was always ready to pitch in.  He called Belote someone who gave back to the community and wanted to make it better.  An attorney, Belote provided legal advice to the Police Commission, Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department, American Legion, and other organizations.  Belote was a volunteer with the Ridgefield Historical Society and was the attorney for the Ridgefield Housing Authority in its early years.

He taught for a year at Branchville School to earn money for law school.  From law school, Belote was appointed an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.   He was simultaneously appointed a special assistant to the U.S. attorney general, working on counter-terrorism and prosecution of Nazi war criminals in the United States.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date.