Herbert Joel Bell

Herbert Joel Bell of Valrico, FL & Jefferson, NC passed away peacefully on April 29, 2021 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 80 following a 2-1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Brooklyn, NY he was preceded in death by his first wife Beulah Bell, his parents, Henry & Lena Bell, and his sisters, Rosalind Dreese and Audrey Rosenthal. Survived by his loving wife, Catherine, daughter Linda Springfield (Chuck), son Kenneth Bell (Jean), daughter Kimberly Bardakjy (Eugene), daughter Lori Bell, grandchildren Sean & Christopher Springfield, Jake & Kaitlin Bell, and Gene & Faith Bardakjy and his faithful fur baby Savannah.

After attending Miami High School, Herbie started his career in the food business. In 1970, he had a vision to start his own food brokerage company, Bell Brokerage, with his wife Beulah. Together they built a successful company. Herb was more than just a trailblazer in the industry, he showed others around him the value of treating everyone with respect and dignity. Herb never met a stranger and he never passed an opportunity to help someone in need.

At the peak of Bell Brokerage’s success, while others were playing golf, Herb found his place deep sea fishing while entertaining clients and customers, as well as spending quality time with his family in the Florida Keys. In the early 1990s, Herb met his second true love, Cathy Romano, and the two married in 1993. They built a beautiful life together traveling and spending time at their mountain home in North Carolina with their Jefferson Landing family. After he retired from Advantage Sales & Marketing in 2009, he surprised everyone with a newfound passion for golf. He also served on the board of LifePath Hospice for 10 years where he brought his business acumen and love of golf to help raise funds for the annual golf tournaments.

Despite his personal battle with pancreatic cancer, Herb never stopped thinking of others. Following his diagnosis, he added to his philanthropic efforts by donating to Moffitt Cancer Center.

His true wealth was in his kindness and generosity to all that have met him. He loved helping people any way he could and making them happy. For those who knew Herb, he was bigger than life. He always brought a special charm with him when he walked into any room. Herbie was the toughest nice guy you could ever meet.

While this world may seem to be a lesser place without Herb in it, the truth is his 80 years on this planet made the world a better place for everyone.

A celebration of life will be held honoring our beloved Herb between 4:00 & 7:00 pm on Friday, May 21, 2021 at The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd, Riverview, FL 33578.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the following: LifePath Hospice, 3010 W. Azeele Street, Suite 120, Tampa, Florida 33609 or at www.chaptershealth.org Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, MBC-Found, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612, online at Moffitt.org/Donate, or by calling 800-456-3434 ext 1403. In the memo line please write: Pancreatic Cancer Research