Undated, unidentified clipping in a scrapbook at the Saranac Lake Veteran's Club.
Undated, unidentified clipping in a scrapbook at the Saranac Lake Veteran's Club.Born: May 28, 1921
Died: August 11, 2002
Married: Elinor Hoole
Children: Nancy Barrett, Joanne Phillips, Cindy Gendron
Jesse Ray Bell, Jr. was a World War II veteran. He was a son of J. Ray Bell of 4 Jenkins Street.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 14, 2002
J. Ray Bell Jr.
SARANAC LAKE - J. Ray Bell, Jr., 81, of 20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, died Sunday Aug. 11, 2002 at the Adirondack Medical Center.
Born in Saranac Lake on May 28, 1921, he was the son of J. Ray and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell Sr.
He married Elinor Hoole Sept. 2, 1947 in Saranac Lake.
Mr. Bell was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake. He was employed at Plattsburgh Motor Supply in Saranac Lake for 28 years and was later employed at Northland Auto in Saranac Lake for 10 years until his retirement in 1986.
Mr. Bell is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in the 105 Infantry in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He Was recently awarded the Bronze Star by Gov. George Pataki for exemplary duties while serving on Gilbert Island, Saipan, during World War II.
Mr. Bell was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He was a member of St. Bernard's Church.
He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Nancy and her husband Thomas Barrette of Ft. Ann, Joanne and her husband Charles Phillips of Tupper Lake and Cindy and her husband Bob Gendron of Saranac Lake; two grandsons: Brian Phillips and his wife Tina of Tupper Lake and Travis Gendron of Saranac Lake; two great-grandchildren, Josh and Paige Phillips of Tupper Lake; four sisters: Helen Larsen of Saranac Lake, Ruth Orsini of Hilton, Betty Haig of Saranac Lake and Jackie Gonyea of Virginia Beach, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife on March 31, 1991; and his sister Marie Schenck.
The family will receive friends at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home Inc. from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday. A memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Kevin McEwan officiating. Burial will be in St. Anne's Cemetery in St. Regis Falls.
Friends wishing to remember Jessie Ray Bell Jr. may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home.
