MILLINOCKET – Elmer J. Bell Jr., “Papa,” 85, died July 12, 2010, surrounded by people who loved him at Katahdin Health Care. He was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Wrightville, son of Elmer J. and Isabel (Kinney) Bell. Papa loved to hunt and fish at his camp in Ashland and with the Demers boys and “his” Sue at their camp. He also enjoyed barbecuing with his family. Simply put, he was a family man. He loved the simple life – an early morning coffee sitting outside at his picnic table with a pipe full of tobacco as the sun came up. We will miss the warmth of his generous heart, his eager smile and his gentle spirit that shined brightly through his blue eyes. Daddy will be forever loved, missed and never forgotten. Elmer served in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II, in the European Campaign as a first scout. He received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during battle and was a lifetime member of Francis Elliott Post No. 4154, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Millinocket; and Bernard Coro Post No. 80, Disabled American Veterans, Medway. He loved his country and his God, and was proud to have served both. He was employed for 35 years by Great Northern Paper Co., retiring in 1987. He was a communicant of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Millinocket. Elmer is survived by his daughters, Darlene Darling and her husband, Ron Sr., and Beckie Elliott and her husband, Donnie, all of Millinocket; three grandsons, Shawn Elliott and his wife, Linda, J.R. Darling and his wife, Mary, and Adam Darling; and his only granddaughter, Nicole Smith and her husband, Heath. He was blessed with six great-grandchildren who were the twinkle of his eye, Lydia Elliott, Ethan and Damon Darling, Olivia and Emily Smith, and James Darling; a sister, Amy Hand and her husband, Butch; two sisters-in-law, Harriet Bell and Evelynn Carney; two brothers-in-law, Wayne and Leroy Carney; several nieces and nephews, who were all special to him. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 56 years, Theresa Carney; his partner in crime, his son, Mark; a brother, Al Bell; and three sisters, Pauline Gillis, Bea Carter and Bertha Wood. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, July 16, at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 19 Colby St., Millinocket, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, presider. Interment with military honors will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Elmer may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
ELMER J. BELL JR. ‘PAPA’
