It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
John Bell
December 13, 1930 - April 11, 2016
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Eulogy Guestbook Biography Photos Media Life Stories Family Tree Contribute
<div itemprop="description">John passed away suddenly on April 11, 2016 at the age of 85 at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, BC where he had been recovering from surgery to repair a broken hip.<br><br>John was born on December 13, 1930 in Ethelbert, MB, the fourth of five children and the second son born to Roy and Elizabeth Bell. The family consisted of Florence, Jean, Henry who passed away very young, John and Alan (Craig).<br><br>He grew up and went to school in Garland, MB. There were a lot of Ukrainian immigrants in the town and on the surrounding farms. Grampa claimed he could speak Ukrainian as fluently as English when he started school. He lost the language but he never lost the love he had for Ukrainian food.<br><br>During John’s youth, his family spent a lot of time in the “bush” as his Dad worked for the Forestry Department. This rugged pioneer type environment forged the adventurous and independent spirit that served Grampa well throughout his life and directed many of the decisions he made for his own family.<br><br>Grampa was a self-taught musician. He played saxophone in a band in high school and afterwards, travelling to small communities around the area to play at dances and earn a few dollars. It was at one of these dances that he met Velma Irene Taylor, his wife of 63 years. They were married in 1951 and moved to Elkhorn where he worked at the newspaper running their linotype machine. It was here that Gramma and Grandpa started their family and Judy and Susan were born.<br><br>At this point Grampa’s adventurous spirit took over and he took a job opportunity running a linotype machine for the News of the North in Yellowknife. It was in Yellowknife where their three sons, Dayna, Gerald and John (Joe) were born.<br><br>Grampa thrived in the northern environment and became very involved in the community. He was a member of the Elks for many years, was elected to town council for several terms and acted as president of the PC party in the NWT. In addition, Grampa also served in the army reserves and as a volunteer firefighter. He loved his time in the North and willingly gave of his time and abilities to his chosen home.<br> <br>Grampa’s career at the newspaper came to an abrupt halt when he suffered a catastrophic accident at work. He slipped on papers littering the floor and put his hand down on a machine to break his fall. The machinery severely damaged his hand and the doctors said they had to amputate. Gramma stepped in and demanded they at least try to save the hand and give Grampa a chance to recover. They were able to save his hand although he lost much of the range of motion. Again, Grampa took it all in stride and did all he could to maximize his recovery. But, as Grampa was still having trouble typing he could no longer work at the newspaper. He took a job as base manager for North West Territorial Airlines.<br><br>Probably the highlight of their time spent in Yellowknife had to be a visit from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. Because of Grampa’s involvement in municipal politics, Gramma and Grandpa received an invitation to be presented to the Queen. There was a lot of excitement about the house leading up to the visitation – but as usual Grampa took it all in stride and pulled it off royally. <br><br>His love for the outdoors continued and the family would spend part of the summer along one of the lakes in the area. Grampa would set up a full campsite with a couple of large tents with all the amenities the family needed to live comfortably while enjoying the outdoors. Grampa also loved the water and passed that love on to his kids. They all knew how to swim at an early age.<br><br>From Yellowknife, the family moved to Hanna, AB where Grampa took a job working in the local newspaper, the Hanna Herald. This job only lasted a couple of years as the expansion the owner had planned did not work out. <br><br>Grampa again headed north for work taking a job with Byers Transport in Yellowknife as a manager but this time the rest of the family stayed down south. This was a lonely time for Grampa without the rest of the family. Gramma would visit as often as she could. Eventually Grampa was able to get a transfer to the Sherwood Park terminal with Byers and the family moved to Sherwood Park where they lived for about 30 years.<br><br>Grampa always wanted to hear how things were going and what challenges we were facing in our lives and at work. No matter what you were facing, Grampa could relate to it and could offer up some helpful advice. His level of knowledge seemed unbounded.<br><br>Whatever troubles, griefs, difficulties or problems you will be faced with during your life time, and there will be many, face them with courage, strength and a positive attitude. Feeling sorry for yourself doesn’t give you the fortitude or support to prevail. Grampa lived his life believing in this philosophy. No matter what circumstances he was dealing with, he just shouldered the load and forged ahead. It was these traits and strengths that I admired in Grampa and made him a great role model for our family.<br><br>John will be lovingly missed by his children, Judy (Gary) Burgemeister, Susan (Douglas) Bartlett, Dayna (Cheryl Whittleton), Gerald (Mauri) and John (Samantha), his sisters Florence Barefoot and Jean Hauk, sister-in-law Jean McBride, sixteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.<br><br>He is predeceased by his wife, Velma Irene, his parents Roy and Elizabeth, his in-laws Thomas and Gladys Taylor, his brothers Henry and Alan, brothers-in-law Andrew Taylor, Clifford Taylor, Beverly (Bud) Taylor, Harold Taylor, Al Hauk and Bob Barefoot, sisters-in-law Veronica Bell, Frances Taylor, Grace Taylor, Doreen Taylor and Olive Meyers.<br><br>Services were held at Glenwood Funeral Home in Sherwood Park on April 23 where Grampa was laid to rest beside Gramma, together again. For the full eulogy and information, go to www.glenwoodmemorial.com<br></div>