Raymond Angelo Belliotti was born on June 17, 1948, in Dansville, New York, to Angelo Richard and Luisa Mary (Leonardo) Belliotti. On May 31, 1986, he married Marcia Helen Dalby. They had two children, Angelo Raymond (1988) and Vittoria Catherine (1989).

Belliotti is SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy Emeritus. He received his undergraduate degree with honors from Union College in 1970, after which he served three years in the U.S. Army in military intelligence units during the Vietnam War.