SOUTH THOMASTON – Gordon W. Bell, 73, died following a brief illness, Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Sussman Hospice House in Rockport.  His loving wife was at his side. 

Born in Portland, September 27, 1944, he was the son of William Gordon and Francis Olive Hooper Bell.  Growing up in Cape Elizabeth, he attended local schools and graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School. He attended the University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Wildlife Management. After graduation, Gordon served in the U.S. Navy. 

Following his service in the Navy, Gordon began his career with the Maine Department of Conservation as Park Manager.  He spent the majority of his 32-year career serving Camden Hills State Park. 

In 1974, Gordon married Sally Murphy Bell. They were happily married until she passed in 2011. Gordon met Lisa Elliot in 2012 and they were married on July 3, 2018. 

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoying hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking.  He was particularly fond of fishing at Pierce Pond in western Maine and going on overnight hiking trips in the White Mountains. For several years, Gordon wintered in Florida, and enjoyed traveling whenever the opportunity arose. Listening to music and watching movies, especially the Big Lebowski we other favorite pastimes. 

In addition to his parents, Gordon was predeceased by his step-father Roger Dolan; his sister Nancy Bell Fergusson; his first wife Sally; and his cousin William Conohan. He is survived by his wife Lisa Elliot; his brothers, Daniel Bell and his partner Kate FitzPatrick, Stephen Dolan and his wife Mary; his daughters, Candice Carpenter and her husband Pete, Randi Murphy; Lisa’s children, Lindsay Parisi and her husband Travis, Sven Laamann and his partner Caitlin Anton; his granddaughters, Cara Stacy and her husband Matt, Caitlin Carpenter; his grandsons, Sven Laamann, Nico Parisi; his great-grandchildren, Tatum, Delaney and Abigail Stacy; his niece Liz Fergusson and her son Robin; his nephew Colin Fergusson; and his cousin Reginald Conohan. 

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  A reception will follow immediately at 104 Limerock, adjacent to the funeral home.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust, P.O. Box 5660, Augusta, ME 04332.  

To share a memory or condolence with the Bell family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.