Obituary of Charles Edward Wallace Bell

Charles Edward Wallace Bell passed away peacefully at the Regina General Hospital on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the age of 94 years. Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 50 years Marjorie, in 1999, his parents E.G.W. Guy? and Jean Bell, and his brother Doug in 1937. Born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on November 17, 1916, the Bell family relocated to Weyburn before moving to Regina in 1924 where Charlie would attend elementary school at Thompson Public and high school at Central Collegiate. While attending Central Collegiate, Charlie joined the Regina Boat Club where he was a member of the rowing team. In 1935, Charlie became a Navy Cadet and began work at the Canadian Farm Loan Board. In 1938, Charlie joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in Regina and was called to active service in 1940. He served during World War II on several convoy duties in the North Atlantic. After the War Charlie rejoined the Naval Reserve at HMCS Queen in Regina. In 1947, Charlie was hired as a cartoonist at the Regina Leader Post. He spent the balance of his career (35 years) with the Leader Post in several editorial positions before being promoted to Associate Editor prior to his retirement in 1982. A proud Regina citizen for over 87 years and avid football fan, Charlie had many hobbies and activities. An accomplished artist, Charlie was well known for his many water colour paintings of the surrounding area. His paintings appeared in the Saskatchewan Arts Board permanent collection, the City of Regina collection and many private collections. Charlie was also a member of the Naval Officers Association of Canada and the Royal United Services Institute. Sailing at Katepwa Lake was a favourite pastime, as Charlie enjoyed spending the summer months at the cottage. He also enjoyed carpentry, cooking and music before capping off the day with a small nip of scotch. Charlie is survived by two nieces: Elinor Robison of Regina and Glenda Labelle of Calgary along with many great nieces and nephews. Charlie was particularly close to his great niece Judy and her husband Ken Fawcett who provided support as needed in recent years. Charlie also enjoyed his close friendship with Gerry Peacock who was a great companion in his later years. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Jim Carter and Dr. John Alport for attending to Charlie on numerous occasions and to the staff of the Regina General Hospital. Special thanks to Steve Forsythe, who provided regular assistance to Charlie and became a close friend. Honourary pallbearers will be Elinor Robison and Ken and Judy Fawcett of Regina; Robert and Glenda Labelle of Calgary; Bill Kellock of Olds, Alberta; Ron and Cathy Robison of Calgary; Patricia and Bob McKim of Edmonton; Bob Taylor of Spruce Grove, Alberta; and Scott and Rebecca Taylor of Coquitlam. A celebration of Charlies life will be held at a later date at a graveside service at Riverside Memorial Park. Condolences can be forwarded to the family through www.speersfuneralchapel.com. If so desired, a donation may be made directly to the Leader-Post Raise-a-Reader, PO Box 1130, Regina, SK, S4P 3B4 or Regina Palliative Care Inc., 4F-4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK, S4T 1A5. Charliethanks for your leadership in demonstrating how to grow old with class!