Obituary of Francis Bell

HARRISVILLE – Francis C. Bell, 82, died Saturday morning, April 22, 2017 at the home of his daughter, Karen, on Lake Bonaparte. Born in West Carthage on July 11, 1934, the son of Harold & Mabel Carter Bell, he graduated from West Carthage High School in 1953. He married Jane Evans on June 30, 1956 at the Harrisville Methodist Church. In 1957, he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1963. He was employed by the former Carbola in Natural Bridge and Crown Zellerbach in Carthage. He then worked as the Director of Operations for the Engineering Supply House on the former Camp Drum, then Fort Drum, until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 782, Watertown, the American Legion, Bassett – Baxter Post #789, Carthage, he enjoyed dancing, traveling, trips to the Casino and spending time with his family. He is survived by his daughters; Karen Bell and Valerie Bell and his daughter and her husband, Denise & John Avallone, all of Harrisville. Also surviving is his companion of the last four years, Ruth Trudeau and his grandchildren, Alicia Mera and her husband, Alvero, Dawn Gibson and her husband Dustin and Dustin Avallone and Vinny Avallone, his great grandchildren; Aiden and Axel Mera and Elsie and Ayva Gibson, as well as an expected great granddaughter in June, 2017, along with several brother and sister in laws and several nieces and nephews. After the death of his wife, Jane, in 1988, he had a companion of 19 years, Virginia O'Keefe, who also predeceased him, as well as being predeceased by his daughter, Melody in 1979, a granddaughter Misty Avallone in 1988 and his brother, Curtis Bell. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage, with the Rev. Canon Samuel P. Lundy officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Natural Bridge. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service, from 5 – 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to the Harrisville Fire Hall following the burial for further visitation and a memorial reception. Please make memorial donations to the Harrisville or Natural Bridge Fire Departments and Ambulance Squads.