This website has been developed in dedication of my grandfather, Joseph Napoleon Bellavance (“Joe”). My grandfather was diagnosed with Metastatic Adenocarcinoma cancer (cell cancer with no primary origin) on July 3, 2001 and spent the next few weeks battling that cancer when it finally took his life on July 26, 2001. To recognize his life and achievements I have developed this website to help preserve his name and share with everyone the one (of many) things he loved most, his Milk Bottle Collection.

My grandfather began collecting antique milk bottles back in 1988. Two years later he received a Christmas present from my grandmother; an old milk bottle from his family farm (Aime Bellavance and Sons Dairy) that he had not seen in over 35 years. Who would have known those bottles my grandfather and his siblings had lugged around, washed, and probably broke all those years ago would be back in his life once more. This event would not only bring back memories but spark an interest that would only grow with time.

From this point forward my grandfather had found a hobby that would not only keep him busy for 13 years to come but add one more thing for people to remember him by. It was around this time when I was only 8 years old, my grandfather sparked my interest in those antiques and it was the start to a great relationship.

Throughout the years my grandfather and I would go from place to place always trying to locate that one bottle he didn’t have yet, all at the same time creating a bond and relationship that would last for years to come with the joining of a common interest. The main focus were the Vermont bottles, however the other goal was to collect at least one bottle from every state. From the antique store visits, to the New York Milk Bottle Convention trips with my grandmother and cousin, to the Elsie the cow encounters, we would develop our own stories to tell and learn to tell the stories of many people just like us.

The stories, trips, and adventures through these years of fun helped my grandfather develop a collection of approximately 400 Vermont Bottles, 200 various non Vermont bottles, and oh yeah we did accomplish that goal of finding one bottle from every state (with the location of an Alaska bottle about 8 years later).

While I’ve now moved along in my life beginning to develop my own goals and achievements, my grandfather has left his collection behind, with all hopes and dreams his efforts would continue on. So please join me in celebrating his legacy and browse through this site learning more about my grandfather, his life, and most importantly his Milk Bottle Collection. If you knew my grandfather or crossed paths with him through his 13 years of collecting bottles please email me via our contact page and share your story!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story,

~ Grandson - BRR