Harold W. Bell, Jr – His Story
August 4, 1954-July 31, 2018
The angels of paradise called Harold W. Bell, Jr., home to the arms of the Lord on July 31, 2018. Compassionate, kind, curious and selfless are some of the many words that come immediately to mind when thinking about Harry. Born in Brockton, MA on August 4, 1954, Harry was a devoted son to Harold and Jean (Demchuk) Bell of Mansfield and the loving husband to his best friend, Jeanne (Hiller) for 35 amazing years. He was a loyal brother to his siblings – R. Sandra Pierce and her husband, Jack, of South Carolina; Deborah Dunn and her husband, Tom, of Florida, and Richard A. Bell and his wife, Regina, of Providence, all of whom cherish their “Harry moments”. Harry cherished his remarkable relationship with his stepson, Gianno Lettieri and his wife, Tracy. His granddaughter, Kylie Jean, always made him smile. Harry is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
As a young child, home for Harry was on Villa Street in Mansfield where he could be seen venturing to Fulton’s Pond for an afternoon of adventure. With his bicycle, he had no boundaries in the little town of Mansfield. Lifetime friendships were made on the baseball field as Harry’s father was the coach of his Little League team. Of course, summers meant a two-week vacation for Harry and his siblings and their many cousins to Swift’s Beach in Wareham. Those were the days, as Harry frolicked in the summer sun at Swift’s Beach. A 1972 graduate of Mansfield High School, Harry’s love of music was born as a member of the school band.
His “live and let live” approach was his personal mantra that resonated with him for his entire life.
Without a doubt, the love of his life was his best friend, Jeanne. Clearly, the next chapter of his life began when he married Jeanne on August 7, 1982. Together, they embraced “simplicity” in their charming home in Marion, MA. Their paradise was the lush vegetable and flower garden at their home illuminating their love of nature.
Harry’s world was a seamless expression of his love and respect for nature. Employed in the cranberry industry for decades, the cranberry bog was the perfect backdrop for this lover of nature. With a meticulous eye, Harry was a respected employee and called upon for his expertise about the bogs. The nip of the winter wind nor the heat of the summer sun never paled his enthusiasm for his role at the bogs. He soaked up the tranquility of the bogs while the rest of the world tolerated a frenetic pace lacking in serenity. The next time you feel the mist of the ocean, the freshness upon your face after a rain fall or gaze at untouched snow, think of Harry. His “let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be” philosophy defined his being.
Of course, let’s just get to it – there was a devilish side to Harry. He loved a good laugh; enjoyed a practical joke and don’t you dare talk to him while he was watching The Weather Channel. With a Heineken in hand, he was a life-long fan of the Bruins and the Patriots. Don’t even think of calling him on a game night. There was always time in the day for U2 and Aerosmith. He was a loyal friend. He was not the center of the party; he was the person who sat quietly and listened to every word YOU said. With a thoughtful reaction, he was there for you and never had the “well, what you should have done” response.
Harry designed a personal compass guiding him through the difficult days we all encounter in life. His calm façade and unconditional love and respect for his family were the signature qualities associated with Harry. At the end of the day, Harry and his trusted dog, Pixie, would walk across his lush lawn allowing the grass to tickle his bare feet. Eventually, he would gaze up at the sky in celebration of another day of life and watch the twinkling stars dance a minuet….You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one…(The Beatles).
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com