Stephen Arthur Bell

NORTH ANDOVER – Stephen Arthur Bell, 85, formerly of West Palm Beach, FL, loving husband of the Late Amaya (Ocando) Bell, died peacefully on December 30, 2025, at Prescott House in North Andover, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late Chester and Louise (Grinnell) Bell.

Stephen was raised and educated in Lynn and was a proud graduate of Lynn English High School. A plumber by trade and a self-made man, he founded Bell Co. Plumbing and Heating, which grew under his leadership into the second-largest plumbing company in Massachusetts. At age 50, Stephen retired to pursue his love of travel and fly fishing with his late wife, Amaya.

A devoted member of Trout Unlimited and an avid fly fisherman, Stephen was regarded as a world-class angler in sportfishing. He once caught a 235-pound tarpon and holds the unofficial IGFA record for the largest tarpon ever landed.

In addition to his parents, Stephen is predeceased by his beloved wife of 45 years, Amaya (Ocando) Bell, his brother, Jack Bell, and his sister, Janice Kelley.

Stephen is survived by his children, Sean Bell, Kevin Bell, Scott Bell, Kristin Hentschel and her husband Neil, Bonnie Bell, and Sharon Bell, his stepchild, Kari Goodwin, his grandchildren, Pauline Andrews, Philip Bell, Hannah Eckes, Larissa Hentschel, Elysia Hentschel, Stephen Hentschel, William Hentschel, Angela Victoria Bell and Andrea Grace Bell, his great grandchildren, Joshua, Leah, Lily, Bodie, Owen, and Rose, his great great grandchildren, William and Orion, and his nephew Timmy Kelley.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service for both Stephen and Amaya on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 3 P.M., to be held at O’Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple Street, DANVERS. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.