Roch Thomas Bell, 85, of Whispering Pines, passed Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, in Pinehurst.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, in Southern Pines, with Pastor Terry Dorsey officiating. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium, with military honors.
Mr. Bell was born March 28, 1927, in New Haven, Conn. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac College, and Yale University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II with the 434A Communication Group attached to Gropac 11. He was with the task force assigned to the invasion of Iwo Jima. After securing the island he remained on as part of Naval Base 3150 assigned to the rescue of aircraft and airmen forced down after air raids on Japan.
Mr. Bell held just about every position in business until becoming an aerospace consultant to CASA of Spain in 1980 and later for Short Brothers of Northern Ireland until 1994. He married Josephine in 1981 and spent several years traveling around the world and the States. They lived on Long Island, N.Y., until 1993, later retiring to North Carolina and settling in beautiful Whispering Pines.
Roch and Josephine became members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. He loved to sing, play guitar, hunt quail, and was an excellent pilot. He was a member of the Moore County Wildlife and Conservation Club.
Mr. Bell is survived by his wife of 31 years, Josephine Bell; a daughter, Tracie Chellis; two stepdaughters, Phyllis Maniglia and Marie Maniglia; three granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Roch Bell to Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1517 Luther Way, Southern Pines, NC 28387; or Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Online condolences may be made at www.boles
funeralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.
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Obituary for Roch T. Bell
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