Mr. Marcel Bembry

UTICA – Mr. Marcel Bembry, age 73, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Born in Hawkinsville, GA on December 20, 1950, Marcel was the son of the late Johnnie and Mattie Bell (Worthly) Bembry. Marcel had a happy childhood enjoying playing with his 3 brothers, 6 sisters, and many cousins. Marcel's family relocated to the Utica area, where he was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1970. During his time in school, Marcel engaged in many sports, but he particularly excelled in wrestling. On November 27, 1998, in Buffalo, NY, Marcel wed the former Jennifer Annette Ingram. The couple shared a happy 25-year marriage filled with love, joy, and so many wonderful memories. They often giggled together like children over the silly moments that life brings. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, learning and studying the Bible together, marveling at the beauties of creation, and traveling. At one time, for many years, he was the owner and operator of Bembry's Residential and Commercial Cleaning Service, located on Neilson Street. He later worked as a Senior Clerk at Mohawk Valley Community College, the position from which he retired. Marcel also known by many in and around Utica, NY as "Uncle Marcel." He had an enthusiastic, loving, determined, and friendly personality. His smile was contagious- seeing his smile made you smile. He truly loved people. He found a reason to smile every day and he shared his beautiful smile with every single person he came across. Even when Marcel experienced health issues, he still maintained a positive mental outlook. Marcel enjoyed studying God's word, watching sports, observing the beauty of creation, taking photographs and videos of creation and family and friends. He also enjoyed walking outside and being with his walking buddies and their canine companions. Marcel kept doggie treats in his rollator and his canine friends would often eagerly drag their owners over to see him. Marcel was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witness on July 10, 1976. Marcel zealously served as an Elder and a full-time minister in the Central Congregation of Utica, NY. He never held back from telling others about the beautiful hope the Bible holds out. He happily studied the Bible with many and wanted as many as possible to benefit from what the Bible teaches. Marcel was a spiritual man and he truly believed with all his heart the beautiful promises he learned about from the Bible. He didn't want anyone to miss out on what he held so dear. He enthusiastically spread the good news to all people from all cultures and all walks of life. His physical heart needed a pacemaker but his true heart, the heart that defined the man he truly was, was a heart full of courage that held so much love for all his family and friends, and a heart that always pursued peace. He inspired so many by his determination to keep going despite facing challenges. Marcel will never be forgotten by those who loved and knew him. He will remain in the hearts of his beloved wife, Jennifer; brother, Daniel Bembry; and sisters, Judi Bembry, and Marie Bembry. He fondly remembered his siblings and brother-in-law who preceded him, Mary Woodson, Rose and Roosevelt Wynder, Sr., Juanita Watson, Johnny B. Bembry, Ozell Bembry, Johnnie Mae Hunter, and Almedia Bembry. His loss is also felt by his brother-in-law, Joshua Woodson; sisters-in-law, Berthell Bembry, and Janice Bembry; treasured aunts and uncles, including Clara Mae Houser, Sarah Carswell, Drucilla Miller, Mattie and Dudley Sims, and David and Audrey Bembry; precious nieces and nephews, including special nieces, Theresa Wynder, Rosemarie Wynder, Carmelita Wynder Ruffin, Shamiya Phillips, and Chawntavia Ruffin; grandmother-in-law, Delores Dukes; mother-in-law, Leah Ingram; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ingram; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Latrina Ingram; many cherished cousins; beloved spiritual brothers and sisters, dear neighbors, and friends, all whom Marcel truly loved. He was further predeceased by his father-in-law, Johnnie Ingram; and nephew, Roosevelt "Troy" Wynder, Jr. The Bembry family wishes to thank Marcel's family and friends at the Kingdom Hall for their care, and to the paramedics and the staff at Wynn Hospital for their valiant efforts. The family will honor and commemorate his life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Marcel's Memorial Talk, which will commence on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 585 Trenton Rd. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.