Thomas J. Bell

Thomas J. Bell of Waverly, Pa.. died peacefully at home Wednesday, Sept. 18 after an illness. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Griffith Bell. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in August.

Born in Scranton, Pa., he was the son of the late James F. Bell and Edith Adcroft Bell. He was a graduate of St. Paul's High School, attended the University of Scranton and was a graduate of the Hartford Insurance School. He also proudly served in the 109th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army National Guard.

In 1972, he opened Thomas J. Bell Insurors in the Brooks Building in Scranton, Pa. In 1974, he moved Thomas J. Bell Insurors to East Market Street where it became a staple of Green Ridge Corners. In 1991, he became a founding partner of Joyce, Jackman and Bell Insurors in Scranton, Pa. He continued to maintain his insurance office in Clarks Green, Pa.

He was a founding member and former president of the Green Ridge Business Association and former president of the Green Ridge Neighborhood Association. He also served 11 years on the Scranton Board of Zoning Appeals, four years as president.

He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Church in Scranton, Pa. His spirit lives on through his family and all the lives he touched along the way. A true gentleman, a generous soul, he was a hardworking man who valued his faith, family and friendships. He was a faithful husband, dad, grandfather, brother and friend. He was a kind man who loved people and genuinely appreciated that all roads lead back to Scranton.

The stories about Tommy, as well as the stories he told will live on forever.

In addition to his wife Ellen, he is survived by his sons, Thomas Jr. and wife, Keri, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.; Matthew and wife, Mira, Breckenridge, Colo.; James, Waverly, Pa.; his daughter, Megan and husbandm Raymond Giroux, Waverly, Pa.

He is also survived by his brothers, James Bell (Rosemary), Brian Bell (Marian) and Michael Bell; sisters, Jane Cosgrove (Daniel), Maureen Asterbadi (Nabil) and Mary Doctors; as well as his six grandchildren, Henri, Eloise and Oliver Giroux, Grant, Barbara and Taylor Bell; and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Bell.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Canon Charles M. Kelly on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton, Pa. The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. until Mass time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Sacred Heart.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge St., Dunmore.