Obituary of Charles Bell

BELL, Charles F. a well known and beloved local pharmacist and resident of Sea Cliff passed away at the Glengariff Rehab in Glen Cove on January 20th, 2015. Charles would have been 97 years of age on February 14th, Valentines Day. A native Long Islander who grew up in Sea Cliff, he was the fourth of five children of Dr. and Mrs. Albert M. Bell, having outlived his siblings Albert, Ward, Constance and John. He is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Bess Herdt Bell; his children Roger (Pat) and Marsha; two step-children Tara Grossman (George) and Katherine Livingston (Keith). Grandfather of Matthew Bell, Troy Schreffler, Victoria Grossman, Alexandra Grossman, Schuyler Livingston and Robert Livingston and one great grandson Jacob Bell. He was predeceased by his daughter Vicki and his first wife of thirty-seven years, Castine Swanson Bell. Charles was a World WarII veteran having served four years in the Navy, primarily in the Pacific with the 7th Fleet and was discharged as a Chief Pharmacists Mate. He then continued his education at Wesleyan at the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy an received his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1949. For over twenty-five years he was President and Supervising Pharmacist at Bell and Halpern Pharmacy in Glen Cove until his retirement in 1982. Sometime after that he was employed at St. Francis Hospital, the heart center in Roslyn as the outpatient pharmacist until he once again retired; he loved the hospital so much he stayed on as a volunteer until last year. Charles also loved to sing. Oh, how he loved to sing - in the church choir, the Bass and Treble Club, the Long Island Singers, and the local Community Chorus. BUT mostly he fell in love with barbershop singing and sang his last note with Bob Miraglia, a fellow barbershopper who visited him the day before his death. Charles 'Chiz' received many honors for his participation in the organization and was editor of their monthly newsletter for over twenty years. Charles was a person who loved many and was loved in return. He was active in community affairs and received many honors during his lifetime for his selfless dedication. He served as the District 725 Governor of Rotary International from 1985-1986. He belonged to the United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff where he participated on several boards and sang in the choir. Visitation Sunday 2-5pm. His service will be held January 26 at 10am at the United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Watkins. Charles was a consummate gentleman with a marvelous sense of humor, kind, considerate and devoted to his ideals. He will be sorely missed. He was truly one of a kind. Sunday January 25, 2015, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions Monday January 26, 2015, 10:00 AM at United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff Click for Map and Directions Monday January 26, 2015 at East Hillside Cemetery Click for Map and Directions