SACO- Ormand “O.B.”, “Walt” Bedell, of Saco, died peacefully at home on March 5th after a long illness, just two days short of his 87th birthday. Born on March 7, 1935 in Biddeford, Maine, he was adopted at an early age by his grandparents, Clifford and Jeannette Bedell, of Biddeford Pool, Maine. He was predeceased by his parents, three children, Brian Bedell, Wendy Bedell, and Linda Bedell-Flynn. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, (married 70 years ago last August), his children, Stephen Bedell and his wife Sue of Saco, David Bedell and his wife Julie of Dayton, Debra Emmanuelle of Saco, Carol Braley and her husband Christopher of Saco, Mark Bedell of Saco, fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, his sister, Linda Wagner of Norwick, Ct. and many nieces and nephews.
An entrepreneur through and through, O.B. began a small-scale car business on the Buxton Road in Saco in 1957. The business grew and in 1965, he began construction on the first auto dealership on Route 1 in Saco, spearheading a trend that would change the face of Route 1 in Saco forever. After 26 years of building both his business and his reputation from the ground up to its peak, in 1983, he sold the business because of health reasons. Since then, he has had many jobs, some of which were in Florida, where he and Patricia lived for several years. He and his dear friend, Phil Labbe had many adventures there as well as in Maine.
Ormand loved his family and enjoyed many reunions and celebrations through the years. With the passing of time, O.B.’s passions shifted from stock car racing, to scuba diving, to flying, and later, after retirement, he worked for 20 years as a Standardized Patient for the University of New England. Additionally, he was a longstanding, 50+ year member of both the Masons and the Elks. Whatever he did, he did with fervent, absolute commitment and loved to enjoy life. He will be greatly missed.
His entire family would like to thank Compassus Hospice for their care over the last 2+ years, and for Dr. Christopher Kleeman of Northern Light Mercy Gastroenterology Department for enabling Ormand and Patricia to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary together with family last August.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, March 12th at 1:00 PM at Gracepoint Church, 329 South Street in Biddeford. Reverend Burton Howe will officiate the memorial service, after which, light refreshments will be served.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, www.mainefuneral.com
If you are unable to join us in person, we invite you to join us live on Facebook at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/GracePointChurchBiddeford/
Donations in his name, in lieu of flowers, may be made to St. Jude Hospital or Shriners Hospital.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com