Damian Bell's Obituary
Damian Gerard Bell was born in Elmhurst, New York on June 1, 1966. He is the first born of the late Mr. & Mrs. Nathaniel & Vivian E. Bell. He is the eldest of 3 children and has 2 sisters, Natalie Bell and Shawn Chestnut. Damian spent his early childhood in Far Rockaway Queens, New York and was an avid New York Mets fan. He often reminisced about traveling as a child to Shea Stadium on the NYC Subway to sneak into games and see his favorite baseball team. Just as his father Nathaniel, Damian was also a loyal and dedicated football fan to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Win lose or draw it’ll always be “Steelers Nation”. Around age 11, Damian’s parents purchased a home and relocated the family to Neeses, South Carolina where he attended Hunter-Kinard-Tyler for his Middle and High School years. He was a very gifted student who often composed beautiful poetry and made straight A ‘s throughout his years growing up in South Carolina. Damian spent his time in South Carolina often driving with his father’s trucking company where he acquired the skill of being an excellent driver and navigator. His family and friends often referred to him as a human GPS. After Damian graduated High School, he decided to return to his birthplace and attend The New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, Long Island. He achieved excellent grades while also participating in sports, especially his very favorite: Football. As Damian entered his junior year in college in 1986, he met Prudence A. Lippman as she was beginning her freshman year at NYIT. There was an instant attraction between them at the young ages of 18 and 20, and they dated from 1986-1988. Damian graduated from NYIT in January 1989 and received his bachelor’s degree in communication arts specializing in television and radio. Damian was the recipient of The Cohen Presidential Award and recognized for his excellence in television broadcasting, film, and radio. After graduation, he moved back to South Carolina to gain experience as a radio personality and DJ, while Prudence stayed in New York to continue her studies. Distance didn’t matter as they remained friends and kept in touch throughout their years apart. The two reunited in 1993 and began dating again. Damian proposed in 1994 and they got married in New York on April 8, 1995. After their wedding, Prudence moved to Charleston, South Carolina where they lived and had their first son Jaylen on September 24, 1998. They later relocated to Tampa, Florida in January 2001 and had their second son Tyler on October 16, 2005. The Bells remained married for 29 years until his untimely passing on May 16, 2024. Damian has always been very athletic and participated in sports such as football, baseball, and basketball. Over the years, Damian has mentored and coached numerous youths, including family members, friends, neighborhood kids of all ages; even babies seemed to gravitate to him. He was affectionately known as the “Gentle Giant”. In March 2019 Damian was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent a major surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. He even participated in a clinical trial in November 2023. Damian fought cancer like a true warrior, always smiling and never complaining all the while encouraging others. Damian’s cancer was very aggressive over the past 2 years. Unfortunately, it began to spread to other areas throughout his body and his treatment took a huge toll on his stamina. Amid dealing with his diagnosis and treatment, he always remained active by working, playing flag football, coaching, and maintaining his warm smile. He was always available to help his friends, family and co-workers in any way possible and never fell short of his love, devotion and commitment to his wife and sons. Damian is proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife Prudence A. Bell, his sons Jaylen Nathaniel Bell and Tyler Gerard Bell, his sisters Natalie Bell , and Reverend Shawn Chestnut, his nieces Arnaya Bell, Naté Bell-Butler (Brandon Butler), Madison Weeks, Sunshine “Sunny” Campbell , Amber Seecoomar (Max Seecoomar) and Aniya Campbell ,his Mother -in-law Fay Burwell, Sister-in-law Deb-e Campbell, his brother in law Andre Campbell, a host of Aunts, Uncles, cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, and friends.
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