John Justin Bell

John Justin Bell, of Malden, Massachusetts, unexpectedly passed away on April 19, 2017. John was born in Wakefield, Rhode Island, on March 30, 1969. He graduated from South Kingstown High School. He went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree from Marlboro College and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Boston College. John married Cheryl Harwood on July 11, 2009. Cheryl was the light of John’s life. He was a loving, devoted husband. John embraced Cheryl’s family, who appreciated his wit, humor and kindness. For several years John taught sociology at a number of colleges in the Boston area. A gifted musician, he played guitar and piano. Music gave him great joy and he had an eclectic music collection, constantly seeking out new and interesting CDs and albums (yes, albums). He also enjoyed reading, especially The Economist, for its broad world-wide perspective, while at the same time, being deeply committed to his democratic socialist principles. As of late, he was a volunteer tutor at a homeless shelter, where he got to share his gentle, patient, happy self with children who need his attention as much as they need his knowledge. John is survived by his wife, Cheryl and their niece Bella Ciriello; his mother, Judith H. Bell, and stepfather, William E. Knapp; his brother, Gabriel W. Bell, his wife, Bebhinn O’Connell, and their two children, Cassidy and Andrew; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins whom he adored and who adored him. John was preceded in death by his father, Robert Gale Bell. The visitation will be held at Sunday on April 23, 2017, 3 pm to 7 pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017, at 11 am in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI. As many were aware, since his late teens John suffered from clinical depression, an illness he faced with unfailing courage. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), P.O. Box 62596, Baltimore, MD 21264 or to the Housing Families Shelter, 919 Eastern Avenue, Malden, Massachusetts. "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be children of light." John 12:35-36.