Obituary of Arthur Bell

Arthur Bell, born December 21, 1911 in New Britain, to Walter L. and Loretta V. (Maher) Bell, died Sunday, July 10, 2011 at Ledgecrest Health Care Center in his 100th year. His wife of 59 years, Rita (Fowler) Bell, passed away in May 1993. He is survived by his son Robert A. Bell and his wife Flora (Burns) Bell of Kensington and two grandchildren, Arthur R. Bell, Sr., and his wife Patricia Bell of New Britain and Susan (Bell) Simeone and her husband Christopher Simeone of Newington, and three great grandchildren Molly Simone, Kelsey Simone and Arthur R. Bell, Jr. Arthur was predeceased by two brothers, Francis Bell and Willard Bell. Arthur Bell was a graduate of New Britain High School Class of 1933. In 1932, he left school for one year to work his way around the world on the President Cruise Line. Upon returning to New Britain he went back to school to get his diploma. Arthur then went to work as a Teamster truck driver. He was President of Teamster Local #671 for thirty years and then continued with the Teamsters as a Business Representative for nine more years. Arthur retired his union position in 1970. He had worked for twenty years as a shop steward at Associated Transportation, and ten years working for the former New Britain National bank. Upon retiring from the bank, Arthur lived in Naples, Florida for 15 years before moving back to Connecticut. Throughout his life, Arthur demonstrated good character, devotion to family, and an enthusiastic interest in sports-as a fan of Whalers Hockey, Red Sox Baseball, Celtic Basketball, and UCONN College basketball. Throughout his adult life, Arthur was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Daly Council #12, serving as Grand Knight and President of the K of C Building Association for many years. The Bell family wishes to thank all the staff of Ledgecrest Health Care Center for their great care of Arthur, especially Lucy and Jackie. Funeral service will be held Saturday with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church 1755 Stanley St. New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Saturday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Red Cross 209 Farmington Ave. Farmington, CT 06032.