AVON — Steven R. Bell, 56, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Mystic, Conn., on March 20, 2012.
Steven (Sam) was born in Bemidji, Minn., on July 4, 1955 to Clyde and Laverne Bell.
After graduating from high school in 1973, Sam joined the U. S. Navy,and served 20 years as a Seabee builder. During his years ofactive duty, he was stationed at Cape Hatteras Naval Facility,Argentina, and Newfoundland. He was also an instructor at the Seabeetraining center in Gulfport, Miss. Sam then went on to spend fouryears with the State Department, posted at embassies in Geneva,Switzerland; Moscow, Russia, and Lahore, Pakistan. During his last twoyears of active duty, Sam was posted at the American Embassy in Athens,Greece, with his family and from there traveled extensively toembassies in southern Europe, the Middle East, and the ArabicStates. After the State Department tour, Sam was stationed inGroton, Conn., where he retired in 1993. Sam then made Avon his home.He earned his captain’s license and enjoyed his time spent operatingcharter boats out of Hatteras Inlet.
Sam is survived by his son, Sammy Bell, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer,of Avon, and his daughters, Mary Robertson, and son-in-law, Jeff, ofMystic, Conn., and Truly Clark of Groton, Conn. Sam is also survived bytwo grandchildren, Nathan and Megan, of Mystic, his ex-wife, StarrBell, of Groton and sisters, Pam Bell and Sandra Reberg, and brothers,Alan Bell and Jeff Bell, and their families, all of Minnesota.
Private services will be held on Hatteras Island at a later date.
