Fred Corinthian Bell Jr. was born on October 30, 1933 in Manassas, Virginia. The son of Fred Bell Sr. and Eva Botts Bell, Fred was one of four children. He graduated from Manassas Regional High School in 1951 as class valedictorian. During his Junior and Senior years of high school he served as Class President. After graduation, Fred headed to Ohio to attend Central State University in Wilberforce.

On December 13, 1952, he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, an organization that gave him a sense of solidarity and brotherhood. Fred graduated from Central State in 1955 with a BS degree, becoming the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college. After college, he worked at NIH in Washington D.C. as a research scientist.

In 1960 he met his beloved future wife, Dr. Anne Murray, in Washington DC. They married on May 27, 1961 in Boston, Massachusetts. It was during this time that Fred moved to the Boston area from Virginia and became a New Englander. In 1962, Fred began working as a research scientist at the VA Hospital in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, a position he held for 37 years.

Along with his wife, Fred raised five children, all of whom they sent to various private schools and colleges.

With an active social life, Fred had memberships in organizations such as Entre Nous, the Bachmars, Kappa Alpha Psi, as well as Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Civic minded, Fred was a member of the NAACP and contributed to various organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and St. Jude’s. In 1999, he became a member of the Catholic church, serving as a Eucharistic minister and becoming a member of the St. Elizabeth’s choir. He also served on the board at Fuller Village, a senior living community in Milton.

A devoted family man, Fred enjoyed spending time at his summer house in Cape Cod, traveling around the country and engaging in social activities. Fred was an avid jazz enthusiast who enjoyed attending various jazz fests, in particular, the New Orleans jazz festival. He was a lover of the arts, Broadway and African American culture. He enjoyed taking photographs and compiled a huge collection.

Predeceased by his wife, Anne, and oldest son, Frederic David, as well as his siblings, Donald Bell, Juanita Brown and Ursula Bell.

He is survived by four children—Dr. Stephen Bell of Gambrills, Maryland, Patricia Lemaine of Boxborough, Massachusetts, Sandra Bell Calhoune of Stamford, Connecticut and Karen St. Vil of Briarcliff Manor, New York. Two sons-in-law—Randolph Calhoune, Esq. and Jerry St. Vil. A daughter-in-law, Rebecca Karl. Seven grandchildren—Geneina Lemaine, Amber Calhoune, Rylan Lemaine, Christian St. Vil, Sierra Calhoune, Kylie Bell and Celina St. Vil. And three great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Tuesday May 27, 2025, at 11:30 AM. Family and friends invited. Visitation with the family will be held at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, prior to the mass from 10-11 AM. Interment Milton Cemetery.