"Additional Tribute Link: http://youtu.be/u4qwUv39oyI"
In loving memory of
James Bell
July 16, 1944 - March 29, 2011
Name: James J. "Jim" Bell, Sr.
Life Dates: 7/16/1944 - 3/29/2011
City Of Birth: Rochester, NY
Pre-deceased by
Jim was predeceased by his parents, John Gertrude Bell; brother, Thomas "Tom" Bell.
History
Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly A. "Bev" (McDonald) Bell; children, Christine (Fiance Mike Gurski) Janas, James "Jim" Jr. (Karen) Bell, Erin (Patrick) Palmer, Shannon Bell; grandchildren, Zachary, Hannah, Noah Emma Janas, Jimmy III, Kylie, Justin, Kaitlyn Jack Thomas Bell, Maura, Conor, Bridget Liam Palmer, Aidan James Bell, Cory Ryan Gurski; siblings, John P. "Pat" (Kathy) Bell, Robert "Bob" Bell, Joseph "Joe" (Mary) Bell, Richard "Dick" (Fiancee MaryAnn Bittner) Bell, Lawrence "Larry" (Eileen) Bell, Elizabeth "Beth" Pisa; cousin, Father Jack O'Connor, sisters-in-law, Linda Bell, Maureen (Mark) Vahue; many nieces, nephews, cousins dear friends.
Donations
Those wishing may contribute to the Alzheimers Association, 435 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14620 in Jim's memory.
Services
Jim's visitation will be 1-5 PM Saturday and 1-5 PM Sunday at the funeral home 1411 Vintage Lane (between Rte 390 Long Pond Rd). Jim's Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Monday at St. Mark's Church, 54 Kuhn Rd. Entombment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Additional Information
Jim was co-owner of Bell Construction. He was project manager of the Fort Drum Project of which he was very proud. He was a board member and on the finance committee at St. Mark's Church. He was a longtime member of Ridgemont Country Club. His special friends were Arie Char Redeker, Joe Montana Sr. and Dan Van Zeilen. Jim was a 1962 graduate of McQuaid High School. He was proud of Aquinas. His family was very important to him, especially his grandkids. He was very outspoken, social, generous and had a good sense of humor. He enjoyed country music. His hobbies included Notre Dame football, boating, golfing, hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a Jim Kelly fan.
Tributes
"Judy Gurski Relation to Deceased: Friend I have enjoyed hearing all the past stories about Jim...I learned he was a Family man that definitely put his family first, and I also learned he would jump in a plane to go to Various countries to fish or just see a Football game, especially Notre Dame. I wish I could have known him longer. My thoughts are with you all...Love, Judy"
"Joe Martin Relation to Deceased: Friend I met Jim through our mutual friend Joe Montana sr Jim was a gracious man he always treated my wife and I with friendship and a good joke I miss his gags he would send in bundles to Joe sr never forget him tossing bud light cans on the greens at the olympic club defending norte dame and lying about his great fish he caught Joe Martin The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Steve & Jan Martins Relation to Deceased: Long time friends It is very hard to express our sadness but we can not be there with the family and we must say to Beverly and all her family and all the extended family that there is a great feeling of emptiness that started a long while ago when this guy got sick and all of us lost the benefit of the friendship and warmness of a man that always conveyed happiness and good times. Let us all remember a time we spent with JIm. Remember how he always made everyone around him happy. Remember that you always had a good time with Jim Bell. May he rest in peace. The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Angela Seeley Relation to Deceased: Friend. We all loved Mr Bell, and I he will always be in my heart !! we love you Bell family if you need anything, i will be here to talk any of you ! I know how it feels, I LOVE YOU GUYS! "
"Catheigh Stewart ( Rizzo) I was in his daughter Erins wedding and we all met al the Bell house first amd he walked over to me and asked if I needed some money, and i looked at him strangely and said ummmm no Im fine why do you ask?? and he said so you can get your hair dyed one freaking color i laughed sooo hard .....i dont get highlights any more....God Bless the Bell family..may your memories last forever May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand. An Old Irish Blessing"
"Lois M. Merrill Relation to Deceased: friend My condolences to the Bell family. What a joy it was to watch all those pictures. What a great grandfather he must have been:) I've known the Bell family since my husband worked for them many years ago. My thoughts of Jim are always at the Christmas parties. My husband and Jim would be talking about one job or another, tossing back a beer and always laughing. That's what I remember the most.............the laughing. What a wonderful family you are and Jim was a great guy. I am sure he has alot of friends who met him in Heaven.................Love, Lois Merrill The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Moe M Michaels Relation to Deceased: friend of the Bells my thoughts and prayers go out to all the Bells..a wonderfully kind man who will be truly missed. His smile and ability to crack us all up with laughter was a true gift..."
"Tom and Sue Grieco Relation to Deceased: spiritual friend We met Jim at Cottages as we gave him the Eucharist every Tuesday and realized what a dear man he was and how he loved Jesus. Little did we know he was the brother of an old classmate at HR and how he would affect our lives. Thank you Jim and God Bless. Safely Home I am home in Heaven dear ones: Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last. Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand: do it now, while life remaineth you shall rest in Jesus' land When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; oh the rapture of that meeting, oh the joy to see you come!"
"Arie and Char Redeker Relation to Deceased: Dear Friend....... We, along with our family, will cherish the memories....so many good times we enjoyed together. He will live on in our hearts forever. The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Niles Hickey Relation to Deceased: Friend As an ex employee of John P. Bell & Sons,from 1976 to 1998, I am very sorry to hear of Jim's passing.My prayers are with his family,his brothers,and his sister.May he rest in peace. As we look back over time We find ourselves wondering ..... Did we remember to thank you enough For all you have done for us? For all the times you were by our sides To help and support us ..... To celebrate our successes To understand our problems And accept our defeats? Or for teaching us by your example, The value of hard work, good judgement, Courage and integrity? We wonder if we ever thanked you For the sacrifices you made. To let us have the very best? And for the simple things Like laughter, smiles and times we shared? If we have forgotten to show our Gratitude enough for all the things you did, We're thanking you now. And we are hoping you knew all along, How much you meant to us."
"judy gilligan Relation to Deceased: daughter Karen fath-in-law I will always remember Jim as bigger then life. Full of the devil and such a kidder. I will never forget my daughter Karen and Jim's wedding when he made a special gift of COORS LIGHT AND WE ALL LAUGHED AND SOMETHING WE WILL NEVER FORGET, ESPICALLY KAREN. HIS SPECIAL DONATION OF CHICKEN WINGS AND CHICKEN FINGERS FROM BATHTUB BILLYS AT ALL THE KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU SENIOR WITH YOUR FUNNY WAYS AND SENCE OF HUMOR. YOU WILL BE SADLEY MISSED BY SO MANY. GOD SPEED LOVE JUDY , JOHN AND FAMILY. GOD BLESS ALL THE BELL FAMILY The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Patty Kozon I knew Jim through th Montana's. He had such a love for life. I'll never forget his laugh and his smile. My prayers are with you. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand. An Old Irish Blessing"
"Jim & Lynn Cucinelli Relation to Deceased: friend A round of golf with Jim guaranteed an update on his beloved family with all the grandkids included, laughs chuckles and digs, and a reminder of a proud man with great character and a big heart. And those giggles of his... We will never forget him. .. Jim & Lynn Cucinelli The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Herman & Carol Busam Relation to Deceased: friends Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you in your loss. Respectfully Safely Home I am home in Heaven dear ones: Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last. Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand: do it now, while life remaineth you shall rest in Jesus' land When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; oh the rapture of that meeting, oh the joy to see you come!"
"Donna-Lynn F Magee Jim was a long time friend of my father's, Cahal J. Magee, who left us in 2002. The two of them shared many ventures right till the very end. I will always be grateful to Jim for all he meant to my father, and all he did to make my father's resting place so special. He and my father will be sharing Notre Dame stories once again. The two will be lighting up the heavens as they find each other again. He was an admiral human being and will be missed by many. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand. An Old Irish Blessing"
"Kathy Muller I worked for the Bells in the 70's. They were quite a bunch of kidders. Too many stories to tell. Prayers and thoughts will be with the family at this time of sorrow."