Lawrence M Bell Jr.

In Memory of Lawrence M. Bell Jr.

With profound sadness, the family of Lawrence M. Bell Jr. "Larry" announces his passing on September 11, 2025. Larry died peacefully at his home in Hume, Virginia, surrounded by love, with his wife and best friend, Susanne, at his side. At high-noon, he went to his eternal home with God.

Born in Winchester, Virginia, on August 25, 1945, Larry was the son of Lawrence and Catherine Bell. Winchester remained his forever home-shaped by his childhood on Leicester Street, his education at Handley High School, and the values of family, kindness, and friendship instilled by his parents that guided him throughout his life.

He was the captain of his life and death, which he navigated with strength, intention and purpose.

Larry was a man amongst men. He was a friend for life, and his life was enriched by friendships old and new. Larry had circles of friends everywhere. Larry was your best friend-wherever he went, he lifted the room, turned up the joy, and made you feel like his pal for life.

He was the biggest giver. The best listener. Sweetest talker. Dependable and reliable. Strong. Resilient. Loyal. Gorgeous. The ultimate secret-keeper. Compassionate. A big crier. Fearless. Safe. Impulsive and passionate. Sexy. Crazy. Fun!! Always showed up. Shopped 'til he dropped. Blared music when he loved the song, on repeat. Everyone's drinking buddy, always "one for the ditch!" He was the "main man". The one and only. The best.

Larry lived a long, rich and beautiful life. He was vibrant and full of life with constant energy, humor, and generosity-always ready with a story, a laugh, or a helping hand. A true provider and protector, he gave deeply of himself to family, friends, and anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. He made you feel so special just being in his presence, because he sincerely focused on you.

Larry thrived on competition, camaraderie, and perseverance. As a coach, teammate, and encourager, he inspired others with his "nothing-you-can't-do" spirit. Not just in sports, but in life. He was a competitive athlete all his life playing football at Handley and then at Virginia Tech, where he met his treasured lifelong friend Butch. He ran marathons, drove Porsches, rode his Triumph motorcycle, and even did a skydive. Larry was a competitive trap shooter throughout his life, his last decade at the Winchester Gun Club. He loved winning trophies, but his greatest prize was meeting Ron, a friend like a brother. Their tailgates were legendary, just like Larry.

He was a guy's guy and could talk sports all day. He was sports obsessed. Sunday was a sacred day, not for church but for football. He could call plays better than most coaches. He was always listening to pundit banter. And Larry never missed a chance to get in on the action of a sports pool. He would talk sports with everyone. It was another way he made friends and conversation. He stayed connected through regular phone calls around sports happenings, reliving highlights with his friends and family.

He created and cultivated a sporting life in Connecticut and Virginia. He loved foxhunting over the countryside with Susanne and their horses. He would follow the chase in the hound truck picking up lost or larking hounds, so he could be right in the action. But it was really about keeping Susanne close and making sure she was safe. He encouraged her to take the biggest jumps-even when she was terrified-on horseback, business, in life, and especially in love. Every time she fell, he was right there to pick her up and get her jumping again.

He was devoted to his animals. The only horses Larry bought were gorgeous greys, like himself. Their foxhunter Lexington connected them with people and places out of storybooks. They rescued Wild Affair (Maggie) off the Charles Town Race track, after learning she was bred out of the legendary Black Tie Affair. And Howie (Young Lad) because he was a big dapper silver love bug, just like Larry.

He shared a lifelong love of thoroughbred horse racing, from early days at Charles Town Races with his father to cherished summer meets at Saratoga Race Course with his "pony posse." Though betting the horses brought him joy, his greatest wager-and surest win-was always on love. His horse buddies followed him through life, that was like being in the winner's circle. So many shenanigans after the track with the gang at Antipasto's.

Larry was an outdoor sportsman, with a close connection to the natural world. If he wasn't in the duck blind with his lab Rocky or in the fields hunting birds, he was hunting for antiques and art. He was creative and expressive, with an eye for beauty and interior design. He found treasures and made friends at his annual pilgrimages to Brimfield Antique Flea Market, decoy auctions, and antique shows and shops everywhere. Over his life he curated a fine collection of decoys and Americana art. But his collection was less about art, more about the friendships he grew and nurtured with his decoy buddies, especially Don Snyder and Larry Hughes.

Larry enjoyed the finer things in life. He was stylish and a sharp dresser, beginning in his teenage years working alongside his Dad at Mulvey's Men's Shop in downtown Winchester. He was polished and proud with a healthy ego, but never too much of a big-dog to stick up for the underdog. He loved dressing people-always knowing your size and style instinctively, showing you how to dress to impress. But more than clothes, he gave you confidence, helping your inner light shine even brighter.

Larry was a southern gentleman. He never lost his southern charm or ways even after living and working in the northeast for many years. He loved a party, big reds, gin with a twist, Rob Roy's and Cuban cigars. He was an excellent cook and entertainer, he delighted in preparing and sharing meals, good wine and smooth cocktails with those he loved. And he always knew the guy to go to for horse tips, restaurant reservations, hard-to-get tickets. If you happened to mention that you needed something, Larry made it happen. He loved to spoil us all.

In his business life, even his colleagues and clients became close friends, many lifelong. Larry built his career in the cement industry. His natural gifts of friendship and sweet-talking served him well in sales. He turned business calls into trusted and lasting friendships. His most cherished with his best friend Bob O.

He worked hard to provide for his family. And he played hard, sharing many adventures with his business partner and friend Dennis. He was a leader and mentor to his team, always opening doors and opportunities to help people advance and succeed. He traveled the highways of Virginia, Texas, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, even to Canada making deals with some of the largest construction corporations. Working for a global Swiss corporation, Larry traveled internationally, gained an executive MBA at McGill University, and advanced his career as a sophisticated sales and marketing executive.

The NYC region was his biggest territory, where the deals were as monumental as the skyscrapers and bridges built with the cement he sold. But his biggest win wasn't a cement deal. It was alchemy-the magic spell cast by his friend Bob O introducing Larry to Susanne that changed and cemented the course of his life.

After a successful business career, Larry returned to Virginia in retirement, finding true contentment on his farm in Hume, which he called "Paradise." Hume was his last station before heaven. There, time was measured not in years, but in sunsets and full moons over the Shenandoah mountains, fields, trees, gardens and flowers he loved. Here he met his friend Skip, who Larry loved like a brother. He cared for Larry until his last day.

When he passed away on a god-sent September day, Armando, his beloved property manager and friend, was just outside his windows riding Larry's big John Deere tractor mowing his meadows and fields.

Above all, Larry's heart belonged to his family. He shared 25 years of devotion and friendship with his wife, soul-mate, best friend forever, and greatest love Susanne Brose-his "Baby". From the moment they met under the Grand Central Station clock tower in NYC, his heart was hers. She was the one. They were lovers, a team, creative partners and completed each other. They manifested and lived a beautiful life together in NYC, Connecticut and Virginia. He was the best Daddy to their beloved pup-children and his bird hunting partners Baudi, Bella, Brunello, Bianca, and Bizou, and his crazy cats Charlito, Snail and Honey.

He adored his parents beyond measure. And loved his sisters Jackie, Beverly, Barbara, and Mary, and his brother Ed infinitely. He cherished each as individuals, and truly enjoyed each other's company. The six of them shared a love connection that always made him feel like being home.

He was a loving and devoted father to his son Larry Jr. and daughter Casey. He loved being their dad, friend, and buddy. He worked hard to provide for them and set them up for life. He was so proud of them, especially watching them as parents. He was honored to be "Big Daddy" to his grandchildren Tyler, Davis, Luke, Jake, JT, and Lizzie.

He is survived by his wife, Susanne; siblings Jackie (Bill), Beverly, Barbara (Joe), Mary (Jim), and Ed (Virginia); children Casey and Larry (Jamie); six grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, including his nephew Mark, who he thought of as a son; and Kara who he thought of as a daughter.

In his final months of life, Larry's sister Jackie gave the gift of her care, love and support, helping Susanne ensure that Larry could remain at home, surrounded by love, until his final breath.

At the end of his life, he told us that he still had so much left to do. He had zero regrets. Until the last moments he could speak, he reassured us he wasn't going anywhere. His black lab Othello visited him during his final days. Days after his passing, eagles were seen soaring above, a sight his family will treasure as a symbol of his everlasting spirit.

Larry was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed. His legacy of unconditional love, friendship, and generosity will live on in the many lives he touched.

At Larry's request, no memorial service is planned. He asked that we remember him with joy, and honor him by sharing kindness and love with each other and the next person you meet.