Obituary From the Greenfield, Mass. Recorder Wednesday October 1, 1913
------------
DIED FROM INJURY
---------------------------
Sad Outcome of Foot Ball Game in Worcester
-------------------------
Verner S. Belyea Was Star Half Back of Norwich University Team -Imposing Funeral Held Here Sunday Afternoon.
Verner Stanley Belyea, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Belyea of 28 Riddell Street, died at St. Vincent hospital in Worcester Friday as a result of injuries sustained while playing football in the Norwich- Holy Cross game there on
Wednesday. Belyea's spine was fractured after being tackled as he ran back a punt. He fell in such a way that the back of his head struck first. doubling his neck up and breaking his spine. He was immediately removed from the field and
taken to the St. Vincent hospital where everything was done for him that medical science could do. No hope could be given and yet Belyea's courage never faltered and he never gave in, he died as he had lived, game to core and fighting to the last ditch. After being taken to the hospital he called for Coach Kersberg of the Holy Cross team and exonerated the man who tackled him from all blame.
Belyea graduated from the Greenfield high school with the class of 1911 and was a general favorite with all. He was an ardent athlete and won the respect of all who met him by his clean playing methods. His reputation for clean sport is
firmly established all through the Connecticut valley and he has left a memory that time alone will efface. He was the leader in all of the athletics at the local school and played on all the teams, becoming captain of each in turn
before he graduated. In September 1911 he entered Norwich university and enrolled in the civil engineering course. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Delta fraternity and was one of their strongest men, his forceful personality
making a good impression upon both underclassmen and the faculty. He played halfback on the football team and third base on the baseball team and was the life of the football team being the most versatile athlete that ever entered
that institution. He played end, quarter-back, either half-back and fullback as the situation demanded and he was always able to fill any position. He was one of the most popular men in college and an expert horseman and often figured prominently in bare-back drills.
In appearance Belyea was very quiet and unassuming and slow to make friends, yet those to whom he gave his friendship will cherish it and feel that they are
a bit better just from having known him. His loss is keenly felt by the college, the town and by his large circle of friends, in addition to his parents for whom there is the heartfelt sympathy of all.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon in the First Baptist church on Federal Street at 2 o'clock following a prayer service at his late home. About 50 cadets from Norwich University attended the funeral in uniform under command of Major Lawrence Putnam and they formed an escort for the body. President Charles H.Spooner of the university with Captain Clinton L. Smallman, the manager, Lieutenant A. B. Ball, the captain, and Coach Pray of the Norwich football team were also present with representatives from Holy Cross College. The bearers were members of Belyea's class and were all football players. They were Sargent Major Murphy, First Sergeants Marsh and Craig, Sergeants Ryder and Whittier and
Private O'Dowd. The church was crowded with friends of the young man and his family, and about 50 young men who were either classmates in high school or who were intimate friends with him attended in a body. The chancel of the
church was a mass of beautiful floral pieces sent by Norwich University football team, the student body, several of the fraternities and his school friends and others. The services were conducted by Rev. Leon J. Brace and the burial was
in Green River Cemetery. The bearers marched on either side of the hearse and were followed by cadet escort. About 50young men of Greenfield marched in a body, a voluntary and unorganized tribute of respect, to the cemetery where the
final services were held. After prayer had been offered, Corporal George L.Bennett and Private Herman L. cross stepped to the head of the grave and sounded
"Taps", the final ceremony at a soldier's grave.
------------
DIED FROM INJURY
---------------------------
Sad Outcome of Foot Ball Game in Worcester
-------------------------
Verner S. Belyea Was Star Half Back of Norwich University Team -Imposing Funeral Held Here Sunday Afternoon.
Verner Stanley Belyea, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Belyea of 28 Riddell Street, died at St. Vincent hospital in Worcester Friday as a result of injuries sustained while playing football in the Norwich- Holy Cross game there on
Wednesday. Belyea's spine was fractured after being tackled as he ran back a punt. He fell in such a way that the back of his head struck first. doubling his neck up and breaking his spine. He was immediately removed from the field and
taken to the St. Vincent hospital where everything was done for him that medical science could do. No hope could be given and yet Belyea's courage never faltered and he never gave in, he died as he had lived, game to core and fighting to the last ditch. After being taken to the hospital he called for Coach Kersberg of the Holy Cross team and exonerated the man who tackled him from all blame.
Belyea graduated from the Greenfield high school with the class of 1911 and was a general favorite with all. He was an ardent athlete and won the respect of all who met him by his clean playing methods. His reputation for clean sport is
firmly established all through the Connecticut valley and he has left a memory that time alone will efface. He was the leader in all of the athletics at the local school and played on all the teams, becoming captain of each in turn
before he graduated. In September 1911 he entered Norwich university and enrolled in the civil engineering course. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Delta fraternity and was one of their strongest men, his forceful personality
making a good impression upon both underclassmen and the faculty. He played halfback on the football team and third base on the baseball team and was the life of the football team being the most versatile athlete that ever entered
that institution. He played end, quarter-back, either half-back and fullback as the situation demanded and he was always able to fill any position. He was one of the most popular men in college and an expert horseman and often figured prominently in bare-back drills.
In appearance Belyea was very quiet and unassuming and slow to make friends, yet those to whom he gave his friendship will cherish it and feel that they are
a bit better just from having known him. His loss is keenly felt by the college, the town and by his large circle of friends, in addition to his parents for whom there is the heartfelt sympathy of all.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon in the First Baptist church on Federal Street at 2 o'clock following a prayer service at his late home. About 50 cadets from Norwich University attended the funeral in uniform under command of Major Lawrence Putnam and they formed an escort for the body. President Charles H.Spooner of the university with Captain Clinton L. Smallman, the manager, Lieutenant A. B. Ball, the captain, and Coach Pray of the Norwich football team were also present with representatives from Holy Cross College. The bearers were members of Belyea's class and were all football players. They were Sargent Major Murphy, First Sergeants Marsh and Craig, Sergeants Ryder and Whittier and
Private O'Dowd. The church was crowded with friends of the young man and his family, and about 50 young men who were either classmates in high school or who were intimate friends with him attended in a body. The chancel of the
church was a mass of beautiful floral pieces sent by Norwich University football team, the student body, several of the fraternities and his school friends and others. The services were conducted by Rev. Leon J. Brace and the burial was
in Green River Cemetery. The bearers marched on either side of the hearse and were followed by cadet escort. About 50young men of Greenfield marched in a body, a voluntary and unorganized tribute of respect, to the cemetery where the
final services were held. After prayer had been offered, Corporal George L.Bennett and Private Herman L. cross stepped to the head of the grave and sounded
"Taps", the final ceremony at a soldier's grave.
Obituary From the Greenfield, Mass. Recorder Wednesday October 1, 1913
------------
DIED FROM INJURY
---------------------------
Sad Outcome of Foot Ball Game in Worcester
-------------------------
Verner S. Belyea Was Star Half Back of Norwich University Team -Imposing Funeral Held Here Sunday Afternoon.
Verner Stanley Belyea, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Belyea of 28 Riddell Street, died at St. Vincent hospital in Worcester Friday as a result of injuries sustained while playing football in the Norwich- Holy Cross game there on
Wednesday. Belyea's spine was fractured after being tackled as he ran back a punt. He fell in such a way that the back of his head struck first. doubling his neck up and breaking his spine. He was immediately removed from the field and
taken to the St. Vincent hospital where everything was done for him that medical science could do. No hope could be given and yet Belyea's courage never faltered and he never gave in, he died as he had lived, game to core and fighting to the last ditch. After being taken to the hospital he called for Coach Kersberg of the Holy Cross team and exonerated the man who tackled him from all blame.
Belyea graduated from the Greenfield high school with the class of 1911 and was a general favorite with all. He was an ardent athlete and won the respect of all who met him by his clean playing methods. His reputation for clean sport is
firmly established all through the Connecticut valley and he has left a memory that time alone will efface. He was the leader in all of the athletics at the local school and played on all the teams, becoming captain of each in turn
before he graduated. In September 1911 he entered Norwich university and enrolled in the civil engineering course. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Delta fraternity and was one of their strongest men, his forceful personality
making a good impression upon both underclassmen and the faculty. He played halfback on the football team and third base on the baseball team and was the life of the football team being the most versatile athlete that ever entered
that institution. He played end, quarter-back, either half-back and fullback as the situation demanded and he was always able to fill any position. He was one of the most popular men in college and an expert horseman and often figured prominently in bare-back drills.
In appearance Belyea was very quiet and unassuming and slow to make friends, yet those to whom he gave his friendship will cherish it and feel that they are
a bit better just from having known him. His loss is keenly felt by the college, the town and by his large circle of friends, in addition to his parents for whom there is the heartfelt sympathy of all.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon in the First Baptist church on Federal Street at 2 o'clock following a prayer service at his late home. About 50 cadets from Norwich University attended the funeral in uniform under command of Major Lawrence Putnam and they formed an escort for the body. President Charles H.Spooner of the university with Captain Clinton L. Smallman, the manager, Lieutenant A. B. Ball, the captain, and Coach Pray of the Norwich football team were also present with representatives from Holy Cross College. The bearers were members of Belyea's class and were all football players. They were Sargent Major Murphy, First Sergeants Marsh and Craig, Sergeants Ryder and Whittier and
Private O'Dowd. The church was crowded with friends of the young man and his family, and about 50 young men who were either classmates in high school or who were intimate friends with him attended in a body. The chancel of the
church was a mass of beautiful floral pieces sent by Norwich University football team, the student body, several of the fraternities and his school friends and others. The services were conducted by Rev. Leon J. Brace and the burial was
in Green River Cemetery. The bearers marched on either side of the hearse and were followed by cadet escort. About 50young men of Greenfield marched in a body, a voluntary and unorganized tribute of respect, to the cemetery where the
final services were held. After prayer had been offered, Corporal George L.Bennett and Private Herman L. cross stepped to the head of the grave and sounded
"Taps", the final ceremony at a soldier's grave.
------------
DIED FROM INJURY
---------------------------
Sad Outcome of Foot Ball Game in Worcester
-------------------------
Verner S. Belyea Was Star Half Back of Norwich University Team -Imposing Funeral Held Here Sunday Afternoon.
Verner Stanley Belyea, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Belyea of 28 Riddell Street, died at St. Vincent hospital in Worcester Friday as a result of injuries sustained while playing football in the Norwich- Holy Cross game there on
Wednesday. Belyea's spine was fractured after being tackled as he ran back a punt. He fell in such a way that the back of his head struck first. doubling his neck up and breaking his spine. He was immediately removed from the field and
taken to the St. Vincent hospital where everything was done for him that medical science could do. No hope could be given and yet Belyea's courage never faltered and he never gave in, he died as he had lived, game to core and fighting to the last ditch. After being taken to the hospital he called for Coach Kersberg of the Holy Cross team and exonerated the man who tackled him from all blame.
Belyea graduated from the Greenfield high school with the class of 1911 and was a general favorite with all. He was an ardent athlete and won the respect of all who met him by his clean playing methods. His reputation for clean sport is
firmly established all through the Connecticut valley and he has left a memory that time alone will efface. He was the leader in all of the athletics at the local school and played on all the teams, becoming captain of each in turn
before he graduated. In September 1911 he entered Norwich university and enrolled in the civil engineering course. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Delta fraternity and was one of their strongest men, his forceful personality
making a good impression upon both underclassmen and the faculty. He played halfback on the football team and third base on the baseball team and was the life of the football team being the most versatile athlete that ever entered
that institution. He played end, quarter-back, either half-back and fullback as the situation demanded and he was always able to fill any position. He was one of the most popular men in college and an expert horseman and often figured prominently in bare-back drills.
In appearance Belyea was very quiet and unassuming and slow to make friends, yet those to whom he gave his friendship will cherish it and feel that they are
a bit better just from having known him. His loss is keenly felt by the college, the town and by his large circle of friends, in addition to his parents for whom there is the heartfelt sympathy of all.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon in the First Baptist church on Federal Street at 2 o'clock following a prayer service at his late home. About 50 cadets from Norwich University attended the funeral in uniform under command of Major Lawrence Putnam and they formed an escort for the body. President Charles H.Spooner of the university with Captain Clinton L. Smallman, the manager, Lieutenant A. B. Ball, the captain, and Coach Pray of the Norwich football team were also present with representatives from Holy Cross College. The bearers were members of Belyea's class and were all football players. They were Sargent Major Murphy, First Sergeants Marsh and Craig, Sergeants Ryder and Whittier and
Private O'Dowd. The church was crowded with friends of the young man and his family, and about 50 young men who were either classmates in high school or who were intimate friends with him attended in a body. The chancel of the
church was a mass of beautiful floral pieces sent by Norwich University football team, the student body, several of the fraternities and his school friends and others. The services were conducted by Rev. Leon J. Brace and the burial was
in Green River Cemetery. The bearers marched on either side of the hearse and were followed by cadet escort. About 50young men of Greenfield marched in a body, a voluntary and unorganized tribute of respect, to the cemetery where the
final services were held. After prayer had been offered, Corporal George L.Bennett and Private Herman L. cross stepped to the head of the grave and sounded
"Taps", the final ceremony at a soldier's grave.
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