Louis H. Bell, 89

04/04/2008

STOCKBRIDGE — Louis H. Bell, 89, former longtime resident of Averic Road in Interlaken died early Friday morning, April 4, 2008, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He had been residing at Laurel Lake Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in Lee. Born in Stockbridge on May 9, 1918, son of Harry and Grace Yale Bell, he attended local schools and graduated from the former Williams High School with the class of 1935. He then attended Julliard School of Music, until 1937. An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he enlisted on May 13, 1943, and was bombardier in a B-17 squadron that flew from Tunis to Austria. He bailed out once over Italy, was shot down over Germany on Feb. 22, 1944, and hit the silk again. That time, he was captured and held as a prisoner of war for 18 months until the Russians liberated him. He received several medals and was honorably discharged on Nov. 10, 1945, with the rank of second lieutenant. Mr. Bell sold Liberty Mutual Insurance until retiring in 1981. After the war, he had received training in the government's then new plan to protect personal insurance policyholders. He attended First Congregational Church. An active in the community, he was a member of the Stockbridge/West Stockbridge Kiwanis, the Masonic Occidental Lodge AF & AM, the Alford Brook Club and the Stockbridge Planning Board. His wife, the former Dorothy Gardner, whom he married Jan. 30, 1943, in Houston,died Jan. 1, 1988. He leaves his daughter Christine A. Shaw and her husband, Allan M., of Norfolk; a son, Lawrence H. Bell and his wife, Cheryl M., of Stockbridge; a brother, Frederick W. Bell of Leesburg, Fla.; two granddaughters, Candace Fitzpatrick and Susan Bell, a great-granddaughter, Anne Provost, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his brother, John Pensivy, and two sisters, Sister Mary Bernard Josephine Pensivy and Virginia Fielding. FUNERAL NOTICE — A graveside service celebrating the life Louis H. Bell will be conducted Thursday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at Stockbridge Cemetery by the Rev. Charles VanAusdall, pastor First Congregational Church in Great Barrington. There will be no calling hours. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Red Cross through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, which is handling the arrangements. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.

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Louis H. Bell, 89

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