James M. Bell Jr.

February 6, 1945 - June 13, 2026

James Moakley Bell, Jr., an English teacher, amateur writer, philosopher, and poet, passed away on June 13, 2026. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend.

Born in Miami, Florida, to James M. Bell, Sr. and Marie Drum, Jim was the eldest of five siblings. He spent his childhood in Hicksville, attending Chaminade for three years and graduating from Hicksville High School in 1963. He later studied at CW Post College and eventually earned a master’s degree in education.

During his college years, Jim worked as a stock boy in the shoe department of Macy’s Roosevelt Field, where he met Diane Martino, the woman he would eventually marry. Drafted into the Army, he spent a year as an instructor in Virginia before being ordered to Vietnam in late 1968.

Upon returning home, Jim embarked on a 30-year career as an English teacher at Hicksville School District. He formed many lifelong friendships there, describing them as family. His passions in life included teaching, reading, writing, philosophy, sports, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Jim cherished his group of close friends, whom he affectionately called “3am friends.” These were people he could call anytime, no matter the hour, when he needed them. Sadly, many of these friends passed away before him, and Jim carried the sadness of their loss in recent years. He was also predeceased by his beloved wife Diane of 27 years in 1995.

Jim, the proud father of Christopher Bell (Elizabeth), Andrea Macey (Andrew), Laura Schmidt (Brandon), and Jamie Bell, found immense joy in being Grand Dad to his cherished grandchildren, Kaelyn, Madelyn, Gavin, and Ryan. Each of them held a special place in his heart, and he was incredibly proud of their numerous accomplishments.

Jim was also the loving brother of siblings Mary Bell and Robert Bell (Linda), he was pre-deceased by brother Richard Bell (Jessie) and sister Patricia Bell. He and sister Mary shared a special bond and spent much of the last several years together. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, located at 125 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY. The visitation hours are from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2026, and again from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Church, located at 17 Fordham Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801, on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 10:00 am. Following the Mass, a Committal Service will take place at Calverton National Cemetery, located at 210 Princeton Blvd, Calverton, NY 11933.

Jim will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The People’s ARC of Suffolk (https://www.peoplesarc.org/donate/), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/), or the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org).