LEWISTON – Gene Harold Bell, 79, previously of Buckfield, passed away on Tuesday, June 13 in Lewiston with his loving family by his side. Gene was born in Norwood, Mass. on Oct. 21, 1943.

After spending a short time in Massachusetts, his family moved to a dairy farm in Buckfield, Maine in 1951. He graduated from Buckfield High School in 1961 and continued with the farm for several years but was not able to make a go of it, so he went to work for Bob Shaw in Poland where he learned the building trades. He started his own carpentry business later in life with friend Merton Jones, and together they built many houses in the area.

He was a 63-year member of the Buckfield Fire Department and served for a short time as chief. He was honored to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Maine State Federation of Firefighters in 2012. One of the many loves of his life was being a Mason and Shriner. He was a member and past master of the Evening Star Lodge in Buckfield, was a member and past master of the Mountain View #197 Order of the Eastern Star and was also a member of the Oxford County Shrine Club and the Kora Temple in Lewiston.

His hobbies included being an avid sports fan, particularly of the Red Sox and Patriots, gardening, and playing golf. He was a former member of the Paris Hill Country Club, where he recorded two holes-in-one on the fourth hole.

He is survived by Lynda, his loving wife of 61 years; three children, David Bell (wife Julie), Clark Bell (wife Corina Tancrede), and Kelly Day (husband Ray); five grandchildren, Jennifer Bell, Emily Bell, Tara Day, Liam Day, and Collin Bell; sister Sharlene Waddy (husband John), brother George Bell (wife Beth), and brother Graham Bell.

A celebration of life as well as a Masonic and Eastern Star service will be held at the Masonic Hall in Buckfield on Saturday, June 17 at 11 a.m.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 45 Main St South Paris. To make an online condolence please visit http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

Buckfield Fire Department