Bell, Arthur P.

Arthur Patrick Bell, 90, of Canton, formerly of Jamaica Plain, passed away October 24, 2011. Arthur was born and raised in the Mission Hill section of Roxbury along with his siblings and a multitude of cousins. He graduated from Mission Hill High School in 1938. He then served in the United States Army in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.

Upon returning from the war, Arthur worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. before becoming proprietor of his business, Mike’s Tavern in Jamaica Plain, under the old Green Street station, where he gained the friendship and loyalty of many local customers.

In 1969, he sold his business and worked as a realtor in the Boston neighborhoods. He began working at the First National Bank of Boston (Bank of America), from which he retired in 1988. While at the bank, Arthur was a key contributor to the development of training programs and procedures for consumer ATMs. He was appointed as a notary public for the commonwealth during the 1970s and maintained this office throughout his career.

Arthur became the Bell family patriarch as a young teenager due to his father’s untimely passing. He was a great caretaker of his sisters and cousins. He also cared for many of his elderly relatives during his life, from whom he learned to appreciate his strong faith. He was an active member of Mission Church in his youth and St. Andrew’s Church in later years. Arthur took great pride in his Irish heritage.

Arthur’s cousin introduced him to Helen Power and they were married in 1953. They moved to the Woodbourne neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, where they raised their five children. His life revolved around home and family, always there for every need, whether it be rides, homework, or cooking dinner, or family time at the beach. Arthur was a true giver, always available to help his neighbors and friends.

Arthur and his late wife, Helen, were longtime fans of all of the Boston sports teams, and thus enjoyed watching both of the World Series victories for his beloved Boston Red Sox, and most recently, the Boston Bruins’ Stanley Cup championship. He was a history buff and an avid reader who also enjoyed crosswords. His greatest enjoyment came from his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Arthur was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by many who will always remember his intelligence, work ethic, wry sense of humor, and generosity of heart.

He was the beloved husband of 58 years of the late Helen (Power). Loving father of Dennis B. Bell and his wife, Julie, of Norfolk, Andrea Milewski and her husband, Anthony, and Joanna Bell, all of Canton, and the late Christopher A. Bell and Kathleen M. Cunniff. Loving father-in-law of Mary (Gavin) Bell and Edward Cunniff, both of Canton. Adored grampa of Michael, Christopher, Stephanie, Christopher A. Jr., Lauren, Stephen, Alexander, Shannon, Christine and the late Elizabeth, and great grandfather of Jenna. Dear brother of Mary Dacey of Duxbury and the late Ann E. Bell and Margaret Bartash. Treasured cousin of Claire Gross of Hingham and Joe Sullivan of Dedham. He was the son of the late Arthur A. and Margaret (Barrett) Bell. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Visiting hours in the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, on Thursday, October 27, from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend a funeral mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton on Friday morning at 10:30. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur’s memory may be made to the Canton Veterans Service Department, 801 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Oct 26 2011. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.