Denis Alain Bellanger January 29, 1971 - April 25, 2025

Denis Alain Bellanger passed away peacefully on Friday, April 25.  Denis was born in Middle Township, NJ on January 29, 1971 to Judith (Pfingstag) and Alain Bellanger.  He was the loving husband of Jennifer (Fuentes) Bellanger, and the dedicated father to Ava, Tosh and Juliet Bellanger.

Denis was raised in North Wildwood, NJ where his parents owned and operated The Sherwood Hotel & Chez Alain Rooming House.  As a child, he loved meeting and befriending hotel guests from around the world.  He graduated from Wildwood Catholic High School where he played soccer and was the lead in the school production of “Anything Goes.”  More importantly, at Wildwood Catholic he made many lifelong friends who loved and supported him until the end.

Through a number of jobs in high school, he developed a passion for cooking and a love for the camaraderie of the kitchen.  He attended the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, NJ receiving an associate’s degree in 1992.  His culinary skills and love of travel led to jobs around the world as a sous-chef and chef.  These jobs included cooking for the Conran Group Restaurants in London, Marriott Hotels in Maui, Breckenridge Resort in Colorado, American Express in New York, and on Columbia University’s research vessel the M/V Maurice Ewing.

Denis returned to Wildwood in the late 90s and briefly ran his own restaurant, which is best remembered as the place he met his wife of 20 years.  He then worked as a chef and general manager at Captain Jack’s in Wildwood, before moving with his family to Allentown, PA in 2011.  He continued to work in the restaurant industry in Allentown, holding general manager roles at several restaurants.

The biggest events of Denis’ life were the birth of children Ava in 2001, Tosh in 2005 and Juliet in 2010.  While he was an amazing cook and a dedicated friend, he truly excelled in his role as a father.  He loved and supported his children at events big and small, and could often be found enthusiastically cheering them on at dance competitions, softball games and marching band concerts.  He was especially proud to help Tosh follow in his footsteps to become an Eagle Scout in 2024.  For Tosh’s Eagle Scout service project, they worked together to renovate a disc golf course, a pastime Denis loved.

Besides his family, Denis’ life was defined by two things – his friends and his love of France.  Denis accumulated friends everywhere he went.  His empathy, good nature and humor attracted people to him, and his dedication to them translated into unbreakable bonds with a network of friends from New Jersey to Pennsylvania to Costa Rica to England.  Denis’ family connections to France ran deep – with his first of many trips to France at nine-months-old for his baptism in Vernou-sur-Brenne, the village where his father was born and his family lived for generations.  His love of his French family and his connection to French culture were always evident.  While his passion for the Eagles & Phillies showed him to be undeniably American, his support for Les Bleus in the World Cup demonstrated his true allegiance.

Denis is survived by his wife Jennifer and his children Ava, Tosh and Juliet, all of Allentown.  He is also survived by his mother Judith of Allentown, his brother Marc of Mattapoisett, MA, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws.  Denis was predeceased by his beloved father Alain in 2003.

A celebration of Denis’ life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, May 17th in the Stephens Funeral Home at 274 North Krocks Road, Allentown, PA. Friends and family may pay their respects from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, May 16th and from 9:00-10:00 AM on Saturday, May 17th in the funeral home.  Those not able to attend in person, can stream the celebration live here. (Meeting ID: 825 5496 2641 Passcode: 735147)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denis’ memory to Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute (https://www.lvhn.org/give/give-lehigh-valley-topper-cancer-institute) and the Boy Scouts of American Minsi Trails Council (https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/502/appeal/8402).