Denis George Bell, age 69, of Hackettstown, New Jersey died peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey surrounded by friends and family. Denis was born August 23, 1950 in Braddock, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late George Bell and the late Margaret (Gyurisin) Bell. Denis was predeceased by one brother, Daniel Grannis and one sister, Nancy (Bell) Logan.
Denis was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a brother, an uncle and a dear friend to many and he will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Gail (Supplee) Bell, 3 children, Douglas Bell and wife Juanita (Hill) Bell, Stephen Bell and wife Jennifer (MacDonald) Bell, and Christie Bell and husband Hojun Li. He is also survived by his brother George Bell and wife Ann (Smith) Bell and 5 grandchildren, Aidan, Gavin, Jaevon, Lily and Lucas as well as many nieces and nephews.
From 1970-1976 Denis served in the U.S. Army where he first attended Fort Monmouth NJ for Air Defense and Radar Repair and then spent 3 years in active duty and 3 years in the reserves. Denis met his wife Gail while serving at Fort Monmouth when she and her nursing school friends visited the enlisted men’s club for a night out. He played for the army's fast pitch softball team which enabled him to stay stateside during the Vietnam war. After his honorable discharge, he had a variety of careers and at the end of his life was co-owner of a very successful concrete chemical company based out of Port Murray, New Jersey.
During his life he was an avid do-it-your-selfer and embarked upon many home renovation projects. He loved to watch football and hockey and was a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. During the 70's and 80's he played slow pitch softball with Fiedler Real Estate. He also loved to spend time with his family and enjoyed many family vacations, playdates and sleepovers with his grandchildren.
Over the past 25 years Denis overcame many health obstacles and rarely complained about any of them. In 2015 his niece, Kelly Bell, gifted him an extra 4 ½ years of life by donating her kidney and our family is forever grateful to her for that extra time.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. A viewing and service will be held at Cochran Funeral Home on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. From 7:30-8:00 p.m. there will be a service by clergy as well as a military playing of Taps and a folding and presentation of the flag. All who wish to join are welcome. There will be a private burial of ashes to be held at a later date to be attended by immediate family and close friends at the Musconetcong Valley Cemetery in Hampton, New Jersey. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com/