ROGER BEL

Roger Bel, age 93, of Rogersville, formerly of Palenville, NY, peacefully passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024, at his residence following a brief illness.  He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Malone Bel and parents, Louis Gustave and Lucy Perrier Bel.

On April 5, 1930, in the heart of the depression, Roger was born in Manhattan, NY, to Louis and Lucie Bel, who recently emigrated from France.

He served his country from 1951- 1953 in Korea as a member of the Army Signal Corp. He gleefully returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Malone, and they relocated to Palenville, NY, where they owned and operated Oak Lodge Motel and Restaurant. At that same time Roger, a member of the Carpenter’s Union, worked as foreman on many local construction sites, and Margaret was employed by the Catskill Central School District. Upon retiring in 1962, Roger returned to his hobbies: artwork, manicuring his lawn, topiary, visiting with friends and family, and long drives with Peggy that ended with ice cream.

Roger is survived by his children, Roger Bel, Therese Keegan, Michael Bel, and Debra DeWitt, six grandchildren, Sarah Bel Jameson, Roger Bel, Opal Keegan, Samantha Kijonka, Richard Keegan, Olana Osborn, three great-grandchildren, Alexandra Kijonka, Chloe Bel, and Roger John Bel IV.

Family and friends may gather on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 10:00 am at Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. A funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 am, with interment to follow at Palenville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Roger would have appreciated donations to the Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, P.O. Box 251, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Memo: Roger Bel. Roger participated in the honor flight in 2022 and agreed with their slogan that it was “the trip of a lifetime”.

Online condolences may be made to www.broomefuneralhome.com or www.MillspaughCamerato.com.

The staff of Broome Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bel family.

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