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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Professor Emeritus Donald J. Bell, Physical Education


I am sad to inform the college community that Professor Emeritus Donald. J. Bell, formerly of MCC’s Physical Education Department, passed away on October 14, 2014 at the age of 82. Calling hours were yesterday. His funeral mass will be held at St. Rita’s Church, 1008 Maple Drive, Webster, at 11:15 a.m. today, October 21.

Mr. Bell began teaching in MCC’s Physical Education Department in 1964 at the Alexander Street Campus. He is remembered for launching MCC’s lacrosse program and serving as the college’s first lacrosse coach. He was a member of the MCC Athletics Hall of Fame and the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Mr. Bell retired from MCC in 1995 after 35 years of service, having achieved the rank of professor emeritus.

Prior to MCC, Mr. Bell taught in the Lyons and Rochester City school districts. He also served as recreation director for the Greece and Irondequoit summer recreation programs. As an undergraduate at The Pennsylvania State University, he excelled in intercollegiate lacrosse. He also served in the U.S. Army in the mid-1950s, stationed in Korea.

According to MCC Athletics Director Skip Bailey, Mr. Bell was “a wonderful man who will be missed greatly by us all.”

Mr. Bell is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Faith; children, Bridget, Mary, Matthew (Kimberly) and Peter (Deanna) Bell; grandchildren, Zachary, Madison, Manny, Jack and Sloane; sister, Elaine (Richard) Fuller; relatives and many dear friends.

Anne M. Kress
Office of the President
10/21/2014