Alan Quinn Bell

Alan Quinn Bell, 80, of Jacksonville, Florida, died on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Phyllis Catherine (Snyder) Bell and Albert H. Bell on April 8, 1937, the oldest of three children. He enlisted in the military and served as a firing technician on Navy destroyers from 1955 to 1957. At 21, he married the love of his life, Margaret Ann (Catton) Bell, and together they raised four children: Jeffrey Jon Bell, Cheryl Bell (Bob) Thompson, Jason J (Donna) Bell (deceased), and James Justin (Lisa) Bell. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and their children, Jeff, Cheryl and James; as well as six grandchildren: Andrew Jay Bell, Jessica Lynn Bell, Genevieve Ann Bell, Alayna Rae Bell, Nicholas Quinn Bell and Abigail Rachel Bell; his brother, John Stephen Bell, and his nieces and nephews, Gerrianne Catton, Paul Catton, Kelly McLaughlin and Jennifer Mock. Quinn started his career as a dispatcher in the moving and storage business, then worked his way up the ladder as he relocated with his young family to Chicago, Evansville, Lake City, Washington DC, and Baltimore. In 1968, he settled in Jacksonville to take the helm at Suddath Van Lines. He hired and guided a team of exceptional people whom he inspired to succeed and many of whom became his closest friends. As a result, Suddath Van Lines grew from a small local business to one of the largest moving and storage enterprises in the nation. Quinn was President, CEO and eventually Chairman of the Board of The Suddath Companies. Quinn was a natural leader: he was intelligent, practical and decisive. He knew how to motivate people. He was modest about his own accomplishments, always attributing his success to a simple knack for identifying and hiring talented people. Quinn's management style was exceptionally personal. He genuinely cared about the work and the life of his employees and made sure he was on a first name basis with everyone at every level of the organization. Quinn served as Chairman of the Board for the Florida Movers and Warehousemen's Association and the IAM, and he was a member of the Board of the American Moving and Storage Association. After Suddath joined the United Van Lines System in 1982, Quinn became United's Treasurer and sat on United's Board of Directors, eventually earning the company's highest honor, the Gene Anderson-United Excellence Award. He also developed several very successful businesses outside of the transportation industry, including a truck and trailer equipment company, a telecommunications company, a manufactured housing company, a commercial real estate company, a car sales company, a marina, and one of the nation's leading record storage businesses. Quinn had an active life outside of the office. Mostly, he was a devoted husband and attentive father to his four children. He enjoyed many sports: his favorite was pitching baseball, but he also played tennis, golf and softball. He loved boating, snow skiing, snowmobiling, scuba diving, and white water rafting. He liked to travel and to socialize. He cherished his membership in "the Good Guys." Quinn was committed to the Jacksonville community serving on the Board of Governors of Jacksonville's Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of St. Vincent's Medical Center, the Leukemia Society and the Jacksonville Zoo. He was a member and past Chairman of the University Club. After retirement, Quinn dedicated much of his time to the service of local charities. He was passionate about giving opportunities to those who might thrive on their own if only they had some additional support or a second chance. He served as Chairman of the Board at both Metro Kids Konnection and Operation New Hope, earning New Hope's First Annual "Humanitarian" Award in 2006. He and Ann also created their own charitable foundation and funded a scholarship program for college students. Quinn's support, guidance, friendship and generosity touched many lives, and he earned the love and respect of all who knew him. None will miss him more than his beloved wife and caregiver to the end, Ann. Flowers or memorial donations are welcomed. Quinn and Ann's favorite charities are Operation New Hope; the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville Florida; and Northeast Florida Community Hospice. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, in Mandarin Presbyterian Church, 2501 Loretto Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223, followed by interment in Mandarin Cemetery. There will be a reception for all friends and family immediately afterwards at 3460 State Road 13, St. Johns, FL32259. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32223, www.hgmandarin.com, 904-288-0025.