Leo Bellotti, a beloved former New York Post circulation manager and “legend’’ whose career with the company spanned a staggering 71 years, died Friday.
The Bronx-born great-grandfather was 98.
“He believed that when you gave your word to an employer, you gave them your very best, every single day,” the late Postie’s son Robert said in a statement on behalf of the family.
Bellotti was born Dec. 27, 1927, and began his career in the news industry at age 18 with the Bronx Home News, a paper that had merged with The Post under the ownership of Dorothy Schiff.
He worked under Schiff, former publisher Peter Kalikow and Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp currently owns The Post, Fox News and multiple other international media companies.
Bellotti officially retired at age 65 but continued to work with The Post until 89, calling it quits just nine years ago — ending possibly the longest tenure with the Big Apple news company.
“He rarely missed a day of work and never believed in taking a sick day unless it was absolutely necessary,’’ his son said.
“Dad’s 71 years at the New York Post were about much more than simply showing up for work.
“They reflected the kind of man he was — loyal, dependable, disciplined and deeply committed to doing things the right way,’’ Robert said.
Bellotti was a member of the Saints Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Deer Park, LI, where he was an usher, and the Holy Name and Rosary Alter Society — earning the nickname “Leo the Legend.”
Fond of dancing and cooking, Bellotti could cook up a mean breakfast, but his signature dish was his veal-chicken scallopini, and he always enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner, his son said.
The family said he also had several one-liners, known to loved ones as “Leosims,’’ such as, “I’d rather be an hour early than a minute late,” “If the sign says 25, you do 15” and “They give you some portion.”
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Norma Bellotti, three children, Robert, Louis and Christopher, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, his family said.
He lost his first wife, Gloria, in 1970 when she was just 41 years old.
Funeral services were handled by Mangano Family Funeral Home in Deer Park following a Mass at Saints Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church, also in Deer Park.
Burial was at Saint Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale.
