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Chris Bellini of Sag Harbor, a poet, journalist, writer, artist, chef and entrepreneur, died on May 26. She was 58.
Ms. Bellini’s life began in Water Mill on Mecox Bay Poultry Farm, a family duck farm. After graduating from Southampton High School, she attended SUNY at Albany and earned a degree in English teaching and communication. She resumed her education at Syracuse University, earning a master’s degree in communications. A writing career began as the editor of the Hamden Chronicle in Connecticut. She continued her career at various other weekly newspapers in New York City and on Eastern Long Island, sharing her talents in editorial management, story development, staff management, production oversight, design, headline writing, editorial writing, news analysis and photography.
She opened Toilsome Press in East Hampton, a boutique desktop design service specializing in business plan development, marketing materials, logo design, book design and critical writing.
Following her dreams, the business evolved into consulting and business development. Tutto Il Giorno in Sag Harbor was the first product of these efforts. Her concept development contributed to the installation of the intimate Italian trattoria. Here she demonstrated her skills in kitchen installation, permit processing, equipment sourcing, menu development, staff development and operations flow, prior to transitioning to the team of owners Steve Florio, Larry and Maria Baum.
Never losing sight of the fact that she was a writer at heart, she continued to pursue her dreams as the executive editor of Hamptons.com, senior copywriter contractor with Crown Advertising, and the creative head of Bellinink Consulting. Her most recent endeavor, Market Speak Consulting Artisinal Brand Development and Incubator Programing provided her the opportunity to share her expertise and passion for food production and entrepreneurship with individuals eager to further explore this field.
Although she truly enjoyed the varied aspects of her career choices over the years her real love was family, friends, the East End and her dogs, survivors said. Being from a large Italian family, she was most at home cooking a feast for a large, hungry crowd. She would share the gift of new recipes as she directed family members through the various kitchen jobs needed to produce a wonderful meal that the family would enjoy for hours. A highlight of the evening would be family discussions that would follow the meal, going long into the evening hours. She had strong opinions and much to share. At the end of the evening, agreements may not have been reached but all were heard, more informed, and loved, survivors said.
Ms. Bellini was most at home in Sag Harbor. You had to have time to spare when you walked down Main Street with her. Every few feet, someone would call out to say hi to her and to discuss the latest happenings in the village. She was fortunate to have many close friends, including lifelong friendships with Mary Sheerer, Shari Hymes, Jann Scanlon and Josephine DeVincenzi.
Ms. Bellini was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Bellini; a sister, Patricia Randazzese; and a brother, Martin Bellini. She is survived by her mother, Marie Bellini; and siblings, Jean Ann and Nancy Bellini, Mary Kay Lewis, John and Gerard Bellini, Darby Woodbury, Robin Roe, Kerry Young, Randy Giraramita and John Young.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 2, at noon at Long Beach in Sag Harbor.
Memorial donations may be made to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, ccesuffolk.org; or the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, arfhamptons.org.
on May 30, 2016