Obituary of Victor Russell Bell

Russ Bell, beloved husband of Beverly of Calgary, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the age of 80 years. Russ embodied the very meaning of the word “gentleman”. He was gentle, kind, generous, thoughtful, and loving. It could be said that he didn’t have an enemy in the world. As a young man he was a deck officer on freighters, sailing the Great Lakes. His last position was as second mate on the largest ship on the Great Lakes at that time, the MV T.R. McLaghan which was a sister ship to the famous MV Edmond Fitzgerald. After moving to North Bay in 1961, he worked at Pinewood Park Motor Inn for many years, starting off cooking and moving up to management. After leaving the hotel business, he worked for Ontario Northland Railway as steward and chef on the Northlander for many years. He retired to Calgary in 1995, following which he was busy doing volunteer work for Canada Olympic Park, Ranchlands Community Association, Neighborlink, and Inn from the Cold. From 1998 – 2005 he worked at Heritage Park as Conductor on the train and in the roundhouse and was a member for forty years of North Bay Lodge No. 617 and the St. John’s Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. Russ was a joyful person and loved being with people. He got pleasure from going to concerts and plays, especially musicals where he knew the words to most of the songs. Besides his loving wife Beverly, he is also survived by his children and their spouses, Lynn and Joe Palangio, Bradley and Lorie, Brian and Mirriam, and Wayne and Julie Bell; grandchildren, Rebecca, Michael, Ryan, Nikki, Robbie, Leanne, and Brianna. He was predeceased by his parents Mildred Marineau and Robert Victor Bell. He will be sadly missed. Memorial Services will be held at St. Barnabas’ Anglican Church (1407 – 7th Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Russ Bell, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W., CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3 Telephone: 1-800-661-1599.