As a husband, Dominic “Dom” Belcastro was larger-than-life, with an upbeat personality. He adored the girl he met in the classroom while they both attended Phillipsburg High School and she felt the same. They were inseparable best of friends even before marriage.

As the father of two young girls, one in elementary school and another in middle school, he was hopelessly devoted and their biggest cheerleaders, his wife said. On the force, fellow Phillipsburg Police Department officers recalled their colleague of about nine years as dedicated and neighboring law enforcement described him as “one of the good ones.”

As a friend, Belcastro was the first to lend a helping hand. He never discussed big achievements — not that he didn’t have many while serving in the U.S. Army for three years before graduating the police academy and joining the department — because he wasn’t a bragger. He was humble in whatever he did to help others, they said.

Belcastro died Saturday evening doing one of the things he enjoyed on a spring day — taking a quick spin through Phillipsburg while off duty on his Harley-Davidson. Warren County Prosecutor Jim Pfeiffer said Belcastro was riding east just after 6:30 p.m. on Memorial Parkway when a woman driving a 2000 Toyota Camry was at the stop sign on Firth Street waiting to pull across the highway to the turnaround near the post office. Belcastro had the right-of-way, Pfeiffer said.

A vehicle in the right lane of the highway drove past the intersection and the Toyota attempted to cross just after, Pfeiffer said. Belcastro, who was wearing a helmet, put down the bike on the road, which is a common crash evasion tactic, but he struck the car as the bike slid past and stopped beyond the intersection, Pfeiffer said.

Belcastro, a Phillipsburg native before moving to Stewartsville, was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is continuing into possible citations against the driver of the car, Pfeiffer said. He did not identify her.

Belcastro leaves behind his wife, Kristen Belcastro and two daughters, as well as his parents and a younger brother, all living in New Jersey, and many nieces, nephews, and Goddaughters.

Phillipsburg Sunday lowered all flags half staff in Belcastro’s memory and honor. Services are pending.

‘Attached at the hip’

Kristen Belcastro recalled the friendship that came first when she met her husband while attending Phillipsburg High School. The pair graduated Class of 2000 but never dated. They had a lot in common, she said, noting their birthdays are just three weeks apart.

“He was my very best friend and we genuinely adored one another,” Kristen told lehighvalleylive.com.

It wasn’t until three years later when Dom returned from serving in the U.S. Army that the pair reconnected on the former social media platform, MySpace. They decided over the virtual chat to meet up for coffee.

“We’ve been attached at the hip ever since,” Kristen said.

The coffee breaks at Terra Cafe along Northampton Street in Easton quickly became the norm for the couple. Sometimes afterward, the pair would head over to Gentlemen’s Barbershop, 26 N. 4th St, in downtown Easton.

Manager Monica Castillo, whose been cutting Dom’s hair for the past several years, said he always had a smile and would greet other barbers with hugs and handshakes. Dom often requested longer hair on top and on the sides, Castillo said, noting Dom wanted his cut different than his buddies at work.

Dom Belcastro also was a dedicated patron, serving as a model in a photo shoot when owner Ronald Corales opened the business in 2012.

“He would always come in super happy; we all would have conversations in between clients with other barbers but we always made time for Dom,” Castillo recalled. “It wasn’t just a haircut for him, it was like a hangout.”

‘Call to duty’

Dominic Belcastro always wanted to be a police officer and almost gave up when he couldn’t find a department with an opening, his wife said. It was about nine years ago, when he finally received the call to duty.

“He gave up and then out of nowhere got the call for Phillipsburg,” she said.

Dom went on to serve as a member of the Honor Guard and Warren County Tactical Response Team. He responded in 2016 to an explosion at a duplex at 74-76 Filmore St. The incident left one man who burned over 50 percent of his body. Photos shot by a lehighvalleylive.com freelance photographer show Dom carrying a child amid the chaotic aftermath.

Phillipsburg Police Chief Robert Stettner told lehighvalleylive.com Sunday morning Belcastro was a brother and the department was mourning the loss of one of their own.

“One of the good things about Phillipsburg in general is the tight community,” Stettner said. “Days like today are the down side of it. He was a friend to a lot of people. He really is our brother.”

Mayor Todd Tersigni, who knew Belcastro, echoed he was an excellent police officer.

”The town of Phillipsburg and the Phillipburg Police Department give our deepest and sincere condolences to the Belcastro family,” Tersigni said. “He was a dedicated police officer in the town of Phillipsburg and he always protected and served our entire community extremely well.”

Surrounding area law enforcement agencies took to social media also to express condolences for Belcastro.

“Wishing you all more and more strength for today and new hope for tomorrow ... He was indeed an outstanding police officer and will truly be missed,” the Pohatcong Township Police Department posted on Facebook.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Phillipsburg Police Department, NJ and the family and friends of Officer Dominic Belcastro, who was tragically killed in an off-duty motorcycle accident yesterday,” the Hackettstown Police Department posted on Facebook.

Phillipsburg Police Officer Dean Berrigan also launched an online fundraiser to help assist Belcastro’s family with expenses. As of 1:30 p.m., the fundraiser reached $32,300 by 339 donors toward an updated $50,000 goal. PBA Local No. 56 additionally is accepting donations to help Belcastro’s family.

“Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Officer Belcastro’s Family -- Blood And Blue,” the fundraiser states.

Reporter Tony Rhodin contributed to this report.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.