Frank D. Bell

Frank D. Bell, a lifetime resident of Port Jervis, N.Y., died suddenly on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 73.
Son of the late John F. Bell and the late Lillian G. Parker Bell, he was born in Port Jervis on Dec. 24, 1942.
He married Jean M. Belcher on Feb. 28, 1964, in Port Jervis.
In high school, he lettered in basketball, track, baseball and football. He was an All-DUSO catcher and All-DUSO running back at the age of 14.
He was affiliated with the Port Jervis Little League since its inception in 1953 as a player, coach, and administrator for 59 years. He was the president for six years and served as Assistant District 19 Administrator for 10 years and coached two senior division teams to district championships. He also coached with the Port Jervis Pop Warner Giants for 19 years. He played fast pitch softball for the three-time state championship team of WALL Radio. He was voted MVP by his teammates the year Sports Illustrated did a story showcasing the team.
He was a 34-year member of the Port Jervis Elk’s Lodge BPOE #645, a member of the Tri-State Hose Co. #6, and a 53-year member of the Port Jervis Fire Department.
He worked for the State of New York and retired from Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in 1999, after 34 years of service. He was appointed to the Port Jervis City Council in 1999 and was serving his sixth term.
Survivors include his wife, Jean M. Bell, at home; three sons, Frank B. Bell and his wife, Alicia, of Schaghticoke, N.Y., John J. Bell and his wife, Lynne, of Milford, Pa., and Robert M. Bell and his wife, Kristina, of Mt. Hope, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Brian and Janeen Bell, Tyler Gramlin, Michael and David Bell, Brandon and Caroline Bell; brother-in-law, George Belcher and his wife Linda of Port Jervis; sisters-in-law, Cecelia Bell of Mt. Hope and Gail Belcher of Port Jervis; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, John Bell, the former football and wrestling coach at Minisink Valley.
Visitation will be held at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 East Main St., Port Jervis, on Friday, April 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the Drew United Methodist Church, 49 Sussex St., Port Jervis.
Following cremation, a burial will be in the Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to Port Jervis Little League, P.O. Box 430, Port Jervis, NY 12771.