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Source : The Bradford Witness
Volume Date : Wednesday, May 16, 1956
Volume : Vol. 91, No. 20
Page : 4
Microfilm : Reel # 80
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Event Date : Monday, May 07, 1956
Event Type : Death
Municipality :
Community : Gilford
Street :
Lot :
Concession : 0
Description : The very sudden passing of Ross Ewart Bell at his home in West Gwillimbury on Monday morning of last week, May 7, 1956, came as a shock to his family and to his many friends throughout the district. A heart condition had made it necessary for Mr. Bell to lead a less active life for about the past three years, but he had been about as usual and visiting friends until his last illness of less than two days' duration.A son of the late Andrew and Alice Bateman Bell, Mr. Bell was born 62 years ago in the Gilford district and spent his entire life there, where he was well known, highly esteemed, and very popular. He was a member of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Coulson's Hill, and a life member of Simcoe Masonic Lodge No. 79. For nine years Mr. Bell was assessor for the Township of West Gwillimbury, resigning that position because of poor health two years ago last fall.In 1919 he married Elizabeth Hodgson of West Gwillimbury, who survives him, with their four daughters and one son, Marguerite (Mrs. Gerald Roberts), Jean (Mrs. Frank Kell, Jr.), Gladys, Thomas, and Doris. Four brothers and four sisters also survive, namely, Roy Bell of Barrie; Ernest Bell of Gilford; Viola (Mrs. E. Carnahan) of Elmvale; Clara (Mrs. Wm. R. Baynes) of Barrie; Harold Bell of Gilford; Marjorie (Mrs. T. Scott) of Barrie; Dorothy (Mrs. R. Hood) of Toronto; and Frank Bell of Barrie. He was predeceased by two sisters and one brother, Mabel (Mrs. H. Hughes) of Gilford; Miss Edna of Gilford; and Clarence of Meriden, Conn.The funeral which was attended by many relatives and personal friends, was held from his home on Thursday afternoon at 2:15, thence to St. John's Presbyterian Church, Coulson's Hill, for service at 3 o'clock. His minister, Rev. H. P. Maitland, conducted the services which were under Masonic auspices.The pallbearers were Masonic friends and neighbours, Elwood Bateman, Chas. T. S. Evans, William Jelly, Milton Ritchie, Alex W. Spence, and Fred Wilcox, the latter of Brampton.As well as the many friends in the district, the funeral was attended by friends from Niagara Falls, Markdale, Elmvale, Barrie, Brampton, Toronto, Orillia, Newmarket, Langstaff, Beeton and Alliston.