Murchie F. Bell

Murchie F. Bell 1931 - 2008 PITTSFIELD Murchie F. Bell, 76, of 21 Sherrill Ave., passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Fairfield, Maine, on Nov. 22, 1931, the son of Gordon D. and Ida M. Fletcher Bell, he attended the local schools and was a 1952 graduate of Lawrence High School in Fairfield. A veteran of the Korean War, he served on active duty in Germany from 1952 until 1954, and was a member of the Army reserves until 1960. Mr. Bell came to Pittsfield in 1957 to serve his apprenticeship as an electrician with King Haswell. He worked for Pignatelli & Piretti Electric, and was caretaker of the Ponterril Recreation Center for several years. He was most recently employed as an electrician at Berkshire Medical Center for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1995. Following his retirement, he was an avid volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club and Camp Russell. He was also very active with the Jimmy Fund, and enjoyed volunteering his time in the Nutrition Services department at Berkshire Medical Center. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren. He and his wife of 53 years, the former Susanne Swift were married Aug. 27, 1955. Besides his wife, he leaves three sons, Lawrence Bell and his wife, Pamela, of Lanesborough, Robert Bell and his wife, Beth, of Littleton, and Peter Bell and his wife, Donna, of Pittsfield; two daughters, Debra Bell of Boston, and Mary Carroll and her husband, Philip, of Pittsfield, and nine grandchildren, Kiersten Touponce and her husband, Ryan; Lindley Bell, Megan Bell, Emily Bell, Lynsay Bell, Jonathan Bell, Kailey Bell, Daniel Carroll, and Timothy Carroll. FUNERAL NOTICE: A private family service will be held at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME. There will be no calling hours. A remembrance gathering for family and friends to celebrate his life will be held Monday, Nov. 10, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Mazzeo's Ristorante, 7 Winter St., Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield, the Jimmy Fund, or Berkshire Medical Center Nutrition Services in care of the funeral home. To sign the guestbook or to send condolences, please visit www.devanny-condron.com