Saratoga Springs is Mourning the Loss of a Favorite Teacher

Anthony P. Bellai a popular coach and physical education teacher who was just 51 passed away over the weekend, and now students and staff, along with Bellai's family, are mourning the loss.

Mr. Bellai was the head of the physical education department at Saratoga Springs High School, a wrestling, cross country and softball coach at the school, and a former state high school champion wrestler.  He died at his home in Rotterdam on Saturday.

The school district has made counseling resources available at the high school and throughout the district.

"Coach Bellai will be missed greatly and we send out heartfelt sympathy to his family," the district said in a statement.

Bellai was born in Niskayuna, and graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady in 1983.  He had been in the Saratoga School District for more than 17 years.