BLUE HILL – Harrison B. “Hap” Bell, 81, died peacefully July 18, 2006, surrounded by his family at an Ellsworth hospital. He was born May 9, 1925, in Bangor, the only son of Charles E. Bell and Dorrice (Robinson) Bell. He was educated at the Hancock Grammar School, the Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y. and received a bachelor and masters of art degrees from Cornell University. He also attended Columbia University after having served with the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman in the Pacific theater in both World War II and the Korean War. Subsequently, Harrison taught high school English and social studies in Massachusetts and Connecticut before entering the educational publishing industry, first in New Jersey and then in New York. Starting in textbook editing, he rose into management positions with companies including Holt, Rinehart & Winston, Silver Burdett and Harper and Row. Harrison led a life that was physically and intellectually active. He was an enthusiastic tennis player, sailor and amateur actor. In addition to being an eclectic reader throughout his life, he played several musical instruments enthusiastically and creatively, if not with virtuosity. While still active in business, he served on the Freedom to Read Committee of the Association of American Publishers and was active in community affairs where he lived. In 1986, Harrison and his wife retired first in Hancock Point and then later to the Parker Ridge retirement community in Blue Hill. In retirement, he served as president of the Hancock Point Library Association and the Chapel Society, served as a deacon of the Union Congregational UCC and, for several terms, as chairman of the Hancock Planning Board. After the move to Parker Ridge he became active in the Unitarian Universalist Church in Ellsworth. In 1948, he married Martha Louise Denton of Brooklyn, N.Y. She predeceased him, as well as his son, Charles E. Bell II and a foster son, William Wells. He is survived by his daughters, Sally Bell and husband, John, Martha Bell and husband, Robert and Judith Bell and husband, Roger; three granddaughters, Katherine Fink Conner, Victoria and Madeline Bell; as well as several cousins, Samuel Robinson and his wife Jane, and their son, Curtis. To celebrate Harrison’s life, there will be a private memorial service for residents and friends at Parker Ridge. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Aug. 19, at Hancock Point Chapel. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, friends and family make donations to Hancock Point Library Association, Hancock Point Road, Hancock, ME 04640 or The Hancock Point Chapel Society, Hancock Point Road, Hancock, ME 04640. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St., Blue Hill.
HARRISON B. ‘HAP’ BELL
