Obituary of Raymond F. Bell

Delmar, NY - Raymond F. Bell, 80, died at home, April 3, after a lengthy illness. He was the son of the late George T. Bell and Alma E. Trulson Bell. Born in Newton, MA, and raised in Waltham, MA, he was a longtime resident of Delmar. He was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Jane Lawrence Bell. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Closson Bell, his daughters, Andrea (Thomas) Howard of Delmar, NY, and Jennifer (Edward) Ganley of Claremont, FL, and his brother, Donald (Daphne) Bell of Lexington, MA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael Howard, Rebecca Howard, Stephen Ganley, Shannon Ganley, and a stepson, Adam Closson, as well as nephews and nieces. Ray was a graduate of Northeastern University and was a member of the Army National Guard during his college years. He received a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from RPI. He had a long career as a licensed Civil Engineer for New York State in different departments, retiring from the Department of Environmental Conservation in 1995. Ray was a lifelong athlete. He played varsity hockey for Waltham High and Northeastern University and later refereed Division I Hockey in NY State for many years. Ray was a hiker and outdoor recreationist, having completed the Adirondack 46, The Appalachian Trail, and the highest peaks in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. He was a longtime member of the Albany Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and a member of the Central NY Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. He was active in supporting the development of the North Country Trail through the Adirondacks and was a member of its Founders Circle. He was a fan of the Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed skiing, ice skating, swimming, fishing, and golf. He got a hole in one that he said was mostly due to luck. When not involved in sports Ray enjoyed, traveling, especially on Amtrak, participating in the local magic club, and growing roses. He served on the Board of the Capital Region Rose Society and was a member of the Albany Men's Garden Club. He held an Amateur Radio License. Ray’s avocation was Toastmasters which he first joined in 1967. He founded the Bethlehem Toastmasters Club in 1996. He achieved the highest level in Toastmasters, and served the organization on many levels. In addition to the Bethlehem club, Ray belonged to the Foliage Toastmasters of Apopka, FL in the winter and the Stratton VA club. For many years Ray helped old and new members alike achieve the various levels of Toastmasters speaking and leadership skills. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bethlehem Toastmasters in December 2014. Ray had a positive attitude toward life no matter what the obstacle. He was always interested in learning and in new experiences. He set goals for himself and worked hard on them. One new endeavor was his learning to play the piano which he started five years ago. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. The family wishes to express deep appreciation to Ray’s doctors who treated him with skill and compassion during his illness, Dr. Anthony Cagino, Pulmonary Care, and Dr. Roy Fruiterman, Primary Care. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Delmar, 428 Kenwood Ave. Delmar, NY 12054.