Norbert “Bert” C. Sell, 82, of Londonderry, NH, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 14, 2023 and but for a few people, he took his middle name with him. Bert, or Papa Bert as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, was born on August 6, 1941, the son of the late Norbert L. Sell and Alma (Dill Sell) Sowden in New York City. Splitting his time between New Jersey and Massachusetts, he graduated high school and went to Union College Barbourbille, KY.
Bert had a lifelong career as an Insurance Adjuster. Upon graduation, he went to work for Liberty Mutual, but working for someone else was not in the cards for him. His first business was Norfield Associates, then in 1976, he went out on his own and opened Bert Sell & Company, which he ran until he retired in 2010. In 1977, he received an Outstanding Young Men of America Award, which was in recognition of achievements and ability of men between the ages of 21 and 36. He was selected for his “outstanding civic and professional contributions to their communities, their states and their nation”.
He met the love of his life, Faye H. (Chase Fitton) Sell in 1987 and they spent 35 happy years together.
As I am writing this, I am listening to Sly and the Family Stone’s greatest hits. Music was one of Bert’s many passions, and he had a lot of it: albums, CDs, even reel-to-reel tapes. He was not musically talented himself, but he never missed an event that anyone he loved were in: school programs, shows, musicals, piano recitals – you name it, Bert was there with his camera. And at the many parties he attended or hosted over the years, or the parties my brothers held, he was almost always the DJ.
He was also very passionate about golf. When his brother Brad died in 2007, he helped to organize a golf tournament in his name to raise money for cancer research.
Another passion was the Florida State University football team. He was obsessive about the football team, but also was a vocal fan about FSU basketball and softball. When he passed, he was wearing a Florida State shirt.
He also supported his children and grandchildren in their athletic adventures. He and Mimi Faye were fixtures at granddaughter Taylor’s track meets and volleyball tournaments.
He was also a very passionate and skilled backgammon player. Many a day or evening was spent with friends / family with cocktails at the backgammon board.
Bert loved his dogs. Through the years, he had many dogs, and he loved them all, even his grand-dogs. Heaven was probably overwhelmed by the sound of joyous barks.
More even than his dogs, Bert loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Brad Sell, as well as his daughter, Jennifer L Sell. He is survived by his beautiful soulmate Faye, his 3 children Kendra L (Sell) Hackett, Kurt L and Eric L Sell, his bonus sons Randy and Chad Fitton, and his grandchildren Taylor Fitton, Tyler and Paige Fitton, Ethan and Sam Hackett and Addison Sell.
Calling hours will be at the Peabody Funeral Home, 290 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry NH on Monday, August 21, 2023 from 9-11am. A funeral service will follow at 11:00am in the funeral home. Following cremation, a graveside service will be held on Tuesday August 22nd at 11:00am at Pillsbury Cemetery, Hovey Rd., Londonderry. There will be a celebration of life at the Manchester Country Club on Tuesday from 1-4pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the wonderful Mt. Carmel Nursing and Rehab Center - located at 235 Myrtle Street, Manchester, NH 03104 - who took excellent care of him at the end.