Longtime Churchville Nature Center Volunteer Remembered

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —The Churchville Nature Center is mourning the loss of a volunteer who for four decades was "an integral part" of the organization.

George W. Belfield, 91, died Friday, according to his obituary.

As the lead volunteer in carpentry and design, Belfield oversaw the construction of the bird blind/bird feeders, many indoor exhibits, the woodshed, the wedding arch, the memorial gardens entrance, and all of the nature center's wooden benches.

With his son Francis, he built the visitor desk and garden pergola along with various cabinets for the Dragonfly Store, the nature center said in a Facebook post.

"Over the course of his tenure, there was little that George did not play a part in here at the Churchville Nature Center, including the building of the butterfly house, the installation of the greenhouses, and many repairs and maintenance projects," the center said.

The center said the Belfield was an avid hiker and birder who participated in backpacking and canoe trips and joined many bird census teams throughout the years.

The center said that Belfield spent most of his time at his workshop, which was renamed a few years ago to George's Lair.

"He was a soft-spoken, kind man, beloved by both the staff and the volunteers who knew him and got the chance to work with him and learn from him," the center said. "Many of us called him a friend and will miss him dearly. Our hearts go out to his children, grandchildren, and friends."

Funeral services are by the McGhee-Givnish Funeral Home. Anyone interested in sharing memories or expressing condolences to the Belfield family can visit the funeral home's website.

Relatives and friends are invited to George's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton. A memorial mass will begin at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Belfield's name may be sent to Churchville Nature Center, 501 Churchville, PA 18966.