Submitted by: Dan Rich
Robert J. Bella
South Bend Tribune 3/24/2006
Robert J. Bella, 80, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 11:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006.
He was born on November 27, 1925, to the late Michael and Elizabeth (Arch) Bella in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong resident. Along with his parents, one sister, Virginia Cabinaw, and one brother, Gene Bella, also preceded him in death. Mr. Bella retired in 1986 as a die-setter with RACO. Prior to that he had worked at Studebaker's.
On October 1, 1949, he married Alice Jane Squint at St. Stephen Catholic Church in South Bend, IN. She recently passed away on March 19, 2006. He is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth (Jim) Frame of Mishawaka, IN, Susan (Joseph) Trimboli of Mishawaka, IN, Margaret (Joe) Pinter of South Bend, IN, and Janet Bella of South Bend, IN; one son, Robert M. Bella of South Bend, IN; four grandchildren, Nicole Pinter, Joseph Pinter, J.P. Frame and Adam Frame; and one sister, Elaine Freymuth of South Bend, IN.
Mr. Bella was a U.S. Navy veteran of W.W. II, who proudly served on the U.S.S. Piedmont. He is a registered member of the National W.W.II Memorial, a member of Tin Can Sailors National Association of Destroyer Veterans, American Legion Post No. 284 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post No. 15015. Robert was proud of the time he served in the Navy, and enjoyed traveling to reunions to visit his former shipmates.
He was a former member of St. Stephen Parish, enjoyed watching various sporting events on TV, and was an avid auto racing fan, who at one time raced go-karts and mini Champ Cars. Robert loved working in his garage and could build or repair anything, but most of all he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today, March 23, 2006, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN, where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2006, in Little Flower Catholic Church, with Rev. Cornelius Ryan, C.S.C., officiating. Entombment will follow at Highland Cemetery, where military services will be conducted. Memorial contributions may be made to the Military Honor Park, P.O. Box 3356, South Bend, IN 46619.
Editor: He died just 2 days following the death of his wife
Alice.