Inventor of MasterBond-SP Spray Foam Stucco Process Dies

Salem, Massachusetts – March 2, 2010 - Michael R. Belleau, 52, husband of Wanda (Phillips) Belleau, with whom he shared 26 wonderful, loving years, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 2, 2010 in New Bedford, Mass. shortly after finishing his workday.

Born in Salem the son of Mary Jane (Davis) (Belleau) Blais of Salem and the late Jean Paul Belleau, he was the stepson of the late Armand Blais.

Michael was raised and educated in Salem attending St. James Grammar School and graduating from Salem High School in the Class of 1976. During his teens and twenties, he enjoyed competitive motorcross racing and customizing vans.

He competed in the World of Wheels show in Boston having been honored with First Place.

An innovative thinker and inventor, Mr. Belleau held five U.S. Patents, most notably for his Spray Foam Stucco Wall system. Recently, he and his son, Dylan showcased his Stucco Wall System that was applied to his motor home, or "Motorcastle," as he lovingly referred to it, from Salem to Florida and back to demonstrate his technology. During the trip they enjoyed wonderful father son time while Dylan served as the trip mechanic making necessary repairs. Michael was always well known for his comedic personality and great wit. He loved to make people laugh and smile, even in the worst moments. Generous to a fault, he was always upbeat, saw the silver lining in every cloud and was loved by all, he will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife and mother he is survived by two children, Kristyn and Dylan Belleau both of Salem; his two brothers, David Belleau and his wife Doreen of Peabody, Richard Blais and his wife Meghan of Salem; two sisters, Sandra McMahon and her husband Michael of Salem, Donna Michaud of Beverly; a sister-in-law, Anita Belleau of St. Mary's, Pa., and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert Blais and Paul Belleau; his father, Jean Paul Belleau, and his stepfather, Armand Blais.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (corner of North Street), Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St Pius V Church, 215 Maple St., Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Murphy's Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Michael R. Belleau Scholarship Fund, c/o Salem 5, 210 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970 (or at any branch location).

For online guestbook or additional information, please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.

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Driving My Invention Home – In Honor to Michael Belleau

By Doug Commette

Many people feel life’s direction is pre-programmed, and that everything that happens – happens for a reason. I am not sure if I believe this or not, but for some reason, over the last month, Michael Belleau and I were drawn closer together than ever before.

I have known Michael for many years, and have witnessed his innovative work, and patents with what he called Spray Foam Stucco, an exterior wall and coating system for commercial and residential buildings using spray foam insulation, unique tools, and stucco. Michael invented this unique process and was on a mission to share it with the world.

My deeper connection to Michael started this past February at the SprayFoam 2010 Show in Orlando, Florida. My company was a sponsor of the Trade Show, and little did I know that one of our duties was to present one of several “Awards for Excellence” to Foam Contractors for unique and special Spray Foam Jobs and Applications over the past year.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, nor was I originally slated to present Michael his award, but through an odd twist of events and last minute changes, there I was on stage all alone holding Michael’s award for his company MasterBond-SP, for a recent project he completed for a high school in Hartford, Vermont. Michael was not there to receive his award. I think he had not yet arrived at the show.

Later that day, I was standing outside the Conference Area and Exhibit when this guy came running across the large room at me. It was Michael. I had not seen him in a few years, and it took me a moment to figure out who this guy was - running at me like a freight train. By the time he got to me, I knew it was Michael.  He was so excited about something.  He grabbed me and dragged me outside to see this motor home he drove all the way from Boston, Mass to Orlando.

At first I thought, “Well what is so special? - I have seen tons of motor homes before.” As soon as I got outside, I knew this was something different. He was so proud of this particular vehicle he so aptly called his “Motor Castle.” He had converted an old 1979 motor home using his patented process for buildings. He had actually spray foamed the entire exterior of the vehicle and covered it with stucco, exactly as he does to buildings during his day job. We sat inside it for nearly a half an hour as he toured me through it, and we caught up on industry, and life’s challenges as they relate to work and financial rewards of accomplishment.

In the end it was simply a converted motor home, but I took away two huge personal, thought embedded impressions. First, when I entered the motor home, Michael introduced me to his son Dylan, a 14 year old “man,” who was completely inside the guts of the truck’s engine with wrenches, wires and grease all over him.  We shook hands and he quickly began explain to his father how the air conditioning or heating system worked, and was well on his way to repairing it with ease. I was so impressed that this young kid knew so much about the motor home, the engine and how to fix it, I began wishing my son, had similar skills.  I was also so moved that a father and son could embark on a 1,500 mile journey and adventure together, something I often did with my father growing up. Something I dream of doing with my son and family before the time and opportunities pass.

I was envious how Michael’s business afforded him this opportunity to spend time with his son. Not in a financial way, but in a weird sort of “spray foam” fun, family work related way. “How cool for them,” I thought to myself.

While sitting inside the motor home talking, I saw the award I was to present to him earlier, proudly displayed on the table. Being a marketing guy, most of my life, I was impressed how Michael was using  a “hobby/project” to promote and demonstrate the benefits of his patents.  I told Michael that SprayFoam.com would write a story about his Motor Castle, but use it to promote his real business at hand, MasterBond-SP and his patented spray foam stucco process.

Michael seemed so excited we would do that for him, and quickly asked Dylan to fire up the computer where they both spent another 10-15 minutes showing me the Blog of the entire production process and build-out of the motor home.

That was the last time I saw Michael Belleau.  We spoke on the phone just days before Michael passed, and honorably enough, the last post on his blog was a reference to the article we did on the Home Page of SprayFoam.com.

I am honored to have known Michael. I am so impressed with his son Dylan and the Motor Castle journey they made together. I am not sure if it was coincidence or fate that drew Michael and I back together before he passed away.  Yet his passing has opened my mind to so many things I have taken for granted.

I send my personal condolences, prayers and best wishes to his family – God Bless!

Doug Commette
SprayFoam.com