ALLAN PHELPS BELL

(April 18, 1931 - August 1, 2025) We lost Phelps, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and friend on August 1, 2025, at Mount Sinai Hospital, at the age of 94. Phelps was the third son of Arthur Phelps Bell and Alma May (Vokes) Bell; and was predeceased by his brothers, Frederick Arthur Bell and William Thomas Bell. He leaves his wife, Judy; and three children, Heather Bell (Marc de Niverville), Sheila Best (Bill Best) and Ian Bell (Lynda Addison). Phelps had six grandchildren: Brittany Best-Garverick (Jason Garverick) in Illinois and their sons, Samuel and Philip, Kayla Best in Melbourne, Cameron Bell (Lindsay Wilson) in New Brunswick, Maddie Best (Mack Napier), Emma Bell and Jacqueline de Niverville. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Earla Patterson; his brother-in-law, Michael McGill, and their families; and many Bell and McGill family nieces and nephews. Dad was born and grew up in Guelph, ON. He attended Victoria College, University of Toronto, pursuing degrees in business. At Victoria, he met his bride, Judith Lloyd McGill. They married on February 19, 1955, and spent 70+ happy years together. From a young age, Dad developed his love for music and skills as a pianist. His music talents grew at Vic with his composing and producing several musical revues. Many hours were spent listening to classical music at home and live at the symphony. He thrived when sharing his love of music with others. One day, Dad went out and bought a sailboat. This created many hours of family fun (and stress) up and down Lake Ontario. The family celebrated many happy events at Timbers, the cottage that Judy and Phelps built in 1984 on Georgian Bay. Phelps enjoyed his woodworking there and produced many fine pieces of furniture which will be treasured by the family. He enjoyed playing tennis on the Cedar Point and Thunder Beach courts as well as at the Badminton & Racquet Club. Phelps and Judy also spent hours playing bridge with many great friends, including Walt and Nancy Pridham. Phelps' social nature spanned his whole life, exemplified by the acquaintances made at the B&R. Phelps had a long, successful career with Imperial Oil Ltd., in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Ottawa, culminating in a six-year stint in London with Esso Europe. He and Judy loved living in London and were thrilled with its cultural offerings. Dad was also active philanthropically as a founding executive director of the Imagine Corporate Giving Awareness Campaign, and as a director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Ontario CNIB, Victoria University, and the Gardiner Museum. Upon retirement, Phelps and Judy enjoyed travelling all over the world. Phelps had a lifelong love of learning demonstrated in the book he wrote on our family history. The family extends a large thank you to the attentive staff at the Cardiac Care Unit at Mount Sinai, the caregivers from IntegraCare and the staff at the Bradgate Arms. Donations to the United Way of Greater Toronto and the UHN Foundation would be appreciated. Phelps has been cremated, and will be interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd, at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Rd.) from 3-5 p.m., with presentation beginning at 3:15.