Donald E. Bell, 94, of Derry, NH, formerly of Hendersonville, NC and Duxbury, MA, passed away Thursday April 7, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 2, 1927, the son of the late Chester and Miriam (MacDonald) Bell and grew up on New York’s Long Island. He graduated from Colgate University, Hamilton, NY. He was a U.S. Naval Officer and a veteran of World War II. Don was an avid golfer and made many life-long friends through the sport. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy (Griffin) Bell of Derry, NH.
During a successful career in sales, Don won several exotic vacations and traveled with Nancy to Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, and Alaska. The couple enjoyed a happy 25 year-long retirement together with many close friends in Hendersonville, NC, before returning to New England in 2017.
Don is also survived by his stepdaughter, Kathy Burke and son-in-law Tim Burke of Derry; stepson, Scott Ullrich of Roslindale, MA.; four grandchildren, Joseph, of Jamaica Plain, MA, and Grace, Carlton, and Cole of Boone, NC; his sister, Barbara Bartlett and brother-in-law Bill Bartlett of Plymouth, MA; and nephews Doug Bartlett (Barbara) of Duxbury, MA, and Scott Bartlett (Barbara) of Manchester, NH; and three great nieces and a great nephew.
A private memorial service will take place in Duxbury, MA at a later date. In remembrance of Don’s life, the family would be pleased to have memorial donations made to either of his two favorite charities: the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Derry, NH is assisting the family with arrangements.