EDMOND ROY BELL

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EDMOND ROY BELL It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather on July 2, 2004 at Pinawa Hospital, with his family by his side. He leaves to mourn his passing, his loving wife Rita; his children, Lynn, Bill (Brenda), Caroline (Ken), Elly (Don), Ed (Pam), and Gwyn (Art) stepchildren, Fiona (Don) and Mark; brother Frank (Dot) and sisters, Jeanine and Frances (Howard) 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Frank (1955) and mother Josephine (1954) brothers, Jules, Joe and Bill; granddaughter Rosemary; daughter-in-law Wendy; and son-in-law Real. Ed was born in Winnipeg on January 15, 1924 and grew up in the St. James area. He joined the Royal Canadian Artillery (R.C.A.) on February 26, 1941 and went overseas seven months later with the 32nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery. He was with Air Defence in England until 1944. D-Day, June 6, 1944, he went to Normandy and in May 1945 he participated in the Liberation of Holland. He returned to Canada in September 1945. He rejoined the Canadian Army on January 31, 1947 and served with the R.C.A. until March 3, 1971. During this time he served a year in Korea and three years with NATO in Germany. After his discharge from the army he worked for Shaw Dental Lab for twelve years and ACE Auto Electric for three years. Ed was a 58 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion and served over 30 years as an executive member at various levels. He was President of St. James Legion, Branch No. 4 and Lac du Bonnet Legion, Branch No. 164. He was District Commander for District No. 5. Ed was awarded a life membership and the Legion Meritorious Service Medal by the St. James Legion and the Palm Leaf to the Meritorious Service Medal by the Churchill Legion. The long-term effects of kidney disease, diabetes and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) eventually took their terrible toll on him physically, but they never broke his spirit. We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who helped to take care of him over the many years of his illness with a special thank you to Dr. Spence, Dr. Nel and all the heath care workers in Whitemouth. Thank you also to the staff of Pinawa Hospital for their compassionate care and kindness during the last four days of Eds life. Mere words cannot express our gratitude to his dear friends, Janet and Al, who provided so much support and help during his lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6 at Sobering Funeral Chapel in Beausejour with Pastor Don Reimer officiating. Friends may view from 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, prior to the service. Service will terminate at the chapel with cremation to follow. Friends may park at the Super 8 Motel adjacent to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eds memory to the charity of your choice. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB toll free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 03, 2004