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Monica Bell posted a condolence
Friday, November 18, 2016
On behalf of our family, I thank all of u who came to Rick's memorial tribute this past Saturday. The unbelievable crowds of people who waited on such a long line to pay their respects was a true testament to all the lives he touched. It was heartwarming for us to hear your special memories about the unique man that he was. A special thank you to our friend, Dr Les Moore from Wellspring Church in Clifton Springs and his beautiful daughters for sharing the Gospel in word and song. Another thanks to our Pastor, Mike Adams, from Grace Fellowship for sharing his message and God's Blessing. A big kiss to two of our many grandchildren, Cooper on the cello, and Gabriella on the violin performing a musical tribute to their grandfather with Amazing Grace, the video of which can be seen below. A thank you to the Gardner family for providing the most beautiful chapel for this venue, and to my friends, the John Sanvidge Funeral Home for all their loving care to make this day perfect for Rick. To God I give the Glory, and I thank Him for giving us the life that was Rick.
J
John Michael Wander posted a condolence
Thursday, November 10, 2016
THE CLOSING BELL
Our pastime was to invent tales
Barely plausible, ridicule
Narratives far off off the rails
Rhyme- reason-less, improvised rules
A kind of spoken free for all
Imagined plots, a Hogmanay
Words spilling out, verbal free fall
More rune than tune, all come what may
In junior high I’d schlepped his books
From class to class, he used crutches
In high-school he had frat-boy looks
I fled from their hazing clutches
We had a way of placing calls
By using pennies & not dimes
& called our babysitting gals
another happy-days pastime
Rick had a line in false ID’s
So I could drink illegally
He was straight but his cagy wheeze
Meant he didn’t provide them free
Seamus when tending Beechmont bar
Ignored our requests for a beer
So a few dollars went quite far
His motives never were too clear
Unless because when our friend Joel—
In mahogany of finest grain
(His beers came quick & took their toll)
Had carved 3 letters of his name—
Did not respond to called-out Joe?
Tiny the owner then asked me
(Was our leprechaun in the know?)
I knew nothing & thirstily
We weren't preppies, by a long chalk
Iona Prep boys paid the rent
Seamus looked at us, down, then balked
As if all drafts were heavensent
With Vietnam not far away
& our friends schemed to be deferred
Pretending to be hooked or gay
Rick had a limp when he preferrred
I called Rickie the godlike man
For his detached accepting mien
His way of catching as catch can
With irony, no touch of spleen
Summer evenings on our bikes
We wove around the reservoirs
Patches of cold air prompted, Yikes
The girls closer than in the bars
We’d take six-packs down to the shore
& hoot & howl our rebel yells
Youth eternal always wants more
But knew that when the apples fell
Summer was gone, schooltide arrived
& some of us must go away
After a dip & one last dive
As redlights blinked cross the bay
I’d advocate wait for the dawn
But our friends all went home instead
The stars above, below the lawn
Empty cans around our heads
When college broke up our old gang
I grew a beard, a frightful sight
But we’d still recount tales, harangue
Elizabethan late at night
Rick crossed his forefinger & thumb
Life was a crossroad, with free choice
He preferred what was easy come
Giving destiny half a voice
The night men walked upon the moon
We headed out for a long ride
His father told us that quite soon
They’d be on tv, stay inside
Later for that, was Rick’s reply
Not our idea of a good time
For there’d be replays by & by
While outside beckoned midnight’s chimes
After winnings at the races
We spent an evening in a bar
The girls & I left our places
& waited for Rick in the car
He didn’t latch the bathroom door
Jumped out the window in a flash
He’d never tried this stunt before
But gladly counted out the cash
He was the first to see my child
A one-hundred-fifty-mile drive
He looked & liked, his manner mild
I want one too, begged his first wife
After the birth they grew apart
She felt her life had passed her by
She'd put the horse behind the cart
& complained, he wondered why
We drove down to McSorley’s Bar
Where lady’s had no place to pee
Women’s lib had forced fro the door
A man guarded their privacy
Such days of rivalry & ruth
When every knock was also boost
No worry of beauty or truth
Who cared if liars ruled the roost
Schaeffer concerts at Wollman rink
Only a dollar, jazz & rock
Who had time to worry or think
Life improvised, each day ad hoc
His family called him low-key Bell
Some part of him in those days stalled
I learned last week that his death knell
Had rung, we’d never written, never called
How does it feel to lose a friend
A beer-brother of many nights,
The wise explain that good things end
That one by one extinct the lights:
I should have cheered him not to die
As clapping wakened tinker-bell
At least not till a fond goodbye
For we still have grand tales to tell
Tales as endless as rolling wheels
There's such magic in well-spun yarn
True or untrue, we’d spiel on spiels
With humor as broad as a barn
What do I see, his eyes now closed
I watch him tip his beer again
Not as low-key as one supposed
Rick making merry, heavenbent
Never ask for whom the bell tolls
You may discover much too soon
Yet every lived moment extolls
All that’s gambled beneath the moon
30/10/2016 11:29
110/11/16 10:47
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Gwen Leary lit a candle
Saturday, November 5, 2016
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Wish I'd had a chance to get to know you better. I love your wife. She's the best
J
Joel Caplan posted a condolence
Friday, November 4, 2016
Hello,
My name is Joel, and it is likely that, apart from actual family members, I have known Rick longer than almost anyone else.
In the late summer of 1954 my parents bought a home almost directly across the street from the Bell home. That September Ricky and I were in the same first grade class.
I always admired Rick for his good looks, his athletic ability and his poise.
We spent our entire childhood and teen years together. We pledged for the same high school fraternity. Together with other kids, we engaged in some of the most outrageous episodes imaginable! Ricky was as much a part of my growing up years as anyone on the planet.
When Rick went off to Gettysburg College, I remained in New Rochelle, but we had great times when he'd come home for vacations or summer break.
Eventually Rick settled upstate, and our lives became separated by the miles and the responsibilities of life. In 1972 I was awakened to a wonderful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Over the next few decades I would occasionally share my faith with Rick.
My old friend was always there for me in the tough times...when my dad passed away in 1997...and just last June at the memorial service for my 97-year-old mother.
Though we hardly saw each other over the last forty five years, there was a special tender bond between us...something forged early on that remained throughout our lives.
Did I mention that Rick was only eleven days younger than me? I never forgot his birthday on February 17th, and it will be sad when that day rolls around. I won't be able to send him birthday greetings anymore.
In closing, I pay tribute to a fine friend, one whom I will miss over the rest of my life.
May God comfort, bless and draw all his surviving family members and friends into the joys of a close walk with this most wonderful Friend of all humanity.
Love,
Joel Caplan
M
Mark L lit a candle
Friday, November 4, 2016
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John Michael Wander lit a candle
Friday, November 4, 2016
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tom doherty lit a candle
Friday, November 4, 2016
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I'll always remember Rick's sense of humor and good, kind, gentle nature. A great man.
W
WILLIAM GORMAN posted a condolence
Friday, November 4, 2016
So sorry for Your, and your family's loss.
J
JIM SMITH posted a condolence
Friday, November 4, 2016
Rick "Doc" Bell, as we liked to call him in our golf league was a great guy and always had a smile and a witty comment every WED night ! He will sorely be missed and always remembered. RIP DOC!
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MK lit a candle
Thursday, November 3, 2016
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The family of Richard A. Bell uploaded a photo
Thursday, November 3, 2016
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