Years after Tragically Losing Son Who Dreamed of Attending Northwood, Tony & Cassi Bellezza Continue to Support Future Automotive Leaders and Kids with ADHD
This Thanksgiving season, Northwood University gives special thanks for the Bellezza family — whose love for their son, Anthony, has grown into a legacy of kindness that continues to inspire students and strengthen our community.
Tony and Cassi Bellezza have transformed unimaginable loss into a movement centered on empathy, encouragement, and opportunity.
Anthony R. Bellezza, who passed away at age 18, dreamed of studying Automotive Marketing & Management at Northwood University and building a career around the automobiles he loved. He believed deeply that “kindness belongs everywhere — from the pit lane to the parking lot” — and his parents have carried that conviction forward through Anthony’s Way – The Road to Kindness, a nonprofit that provides holistic care and support for kids with ADHD, and through the Anthony R. Bellezza Memorial Scholarship at Northwood University.
For the past nine years, the Anthony R. Bellezza Memorial Scholarship has provided tuition assistance to two Northwood University students annually — opening doors for aspiring automotive leaders just as Anthony once hoped for himself.
This fall, the Bellezzas joined the campus community at the 2025 Northwood University International Auto Show, where they welcomed visitors to the Anthony’s Way booth and shared their mission of spreading kindness and supporting families navigating ADHD. Their signature Orange Hearts of Kindness — small tokens symbolizing unity and togetherness — help raise funds that directly assist children and families affected by ADHD.
‘The Bellezza family embodies the values that make Northwood special’
Justin Marshall, Northwood’s chief development and engagement officer, said the Bellezza family embodies the values that help make Northwood special — kindness, purpose, resilience, and a commitment to lifting others.
“Through Anthony’s Way and their scholarship, Tony and Cassi have created a legacy that not only honors their son but also strengthens Northwood’s mission to develop ethical, free enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress,” Marshall added. “Their generosity is an example we hope will inspire others.”
‘Their gift ensures Anthony’s dream lives on’
Northwood President Kent MacDonald emphasized how meaningful the Bellezzas’ ongoing support has been during this important moment for the university.
“The Bellezza family has shown us that philanthropy can turn sorrow into something profoundly meaningful,” said President MacDonald. “Through this scholarship, Anthony’s legacy lives on and is carried forward in the lives, aspirations, and successes of every student who benefits from their generosity. Their kindness speaks to the heart of what philanthropy can be, and we are deeply appreciative of their commitment during our When We Are Free campaign.”
‘To know the Bellezzas is to understand what grace in action looks like’
Engagement Officer Brian Parr, who has worked closely with the Bellezza family for several years, shared a personal reflection on their involvement.
“To know the Bellezzas is to understand what grace in action looks like,” Parr said. “They show up for our students, for families coping with ADHD, and for each other. Their presence at the Auto Show this year was inspiring — not just because of the scholarship they fund, but because of the kindness they bring to every person they meet.”
Carrying kindness forward
The Bellezza family’s story was featured in Attention Magazine in 2023, where they wrote about navigating grief by choosing purpose — creating a nonprofit that supports children and families with ADHD so they can thrive at home, in school, and in their communities. Their work reflects the same entrepreneurial spirit and values-driven commitment that define a Northwood education.
As Northwood advances its $100 million When We Are Free comprehensive fundraising campaign, stories like the Bellezzas’ illuminate the heart of philanthropy: individuals and families choosing to elevate the next generation. The campaign seeks to sustain and strengthen Northwood University through:
- New and expanded scholarships,
- Endowed professorships and academic innovation, and
- Campus improvements that enrich the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond.
“The Bellezza family — through their resilience, generosity, and mission of spreading kindness — is helping make this vision possible,” stated Northwood Vice President of Advancement Murray Kyte.
A lasting legacy
“Northwood University is profoundly grateful to Tony and Cassi Bellezza for allowing Anthony’s light to shine through the lives of our students,” stated Elgie Bright, who chairs Northwood’s automotive marketing and management degree program. “Their work ensures that kindness remains not just a message, but a movement — one that empowers future automotive professionals, supports families touched by ADHD, and demonstrates the profound impact of giving with heart.”
Anyone inspired by the Bellezzas’ example and interested in supporting Northwood students is encouraged to learn more about opportunities within the When We Are Free campaign at campaign.northwood.edu. For more information about Anthony’s Way — The Road to Kindness, visit https://www.anthonysroadtokindness.com/.
