| updated: Nov. 6, 2002 | Jamie
Bell 1944-2002 |
Like many others around this community, across Toronto, and elsewhere, we will miss Jamie greatly.
On this page:
* Jamie's obituary (this contains details of
the trust fund set up for Jamie's sons).
* world19's notice of Jamie's death
* notes from his
memorial service
On other pages:
* "How to build community"
* A page containing some comments we received
after sending out our original notice about Jamie's death.
Other tributes to Jamie:
* John Sewell's column "Noreen,
Jamie and the city" in the Oct. 24 issue of eye.
* The Nov. 6 "Lives Lived" column in the Globe & Mail by a
friend of Jamie's
(The text of the Globe
column is also on our website).
* A webpage set up by
his family
Memorial Service - Saturday, Sep. 14, 2002 There was no other place people could gather to remember Jamie than the Swansea Town Hall. There may have been "better" facilities (i.e., places large enough to hold all those who came to remember him), but none where Jamie's presence would be felt like the Town Hall. About 400 people crammed into various rooms and hallways helped demonstrate the reach Jamie had. People from so many different aspects of Jamie's life spoke, and collectively demonstrated what a wide circle, what a large impact one person could have. I've often commented since Jamie's passing how difficult most of us find being able to commit to, and to spend energy on 1 or 2 or 3 areas of life, yet Jamie seemed a fountain of energy and passion for more things than most of us can deal with. People spoke of his involvement with the Swansea community, the Ontario Science Centre; Mariposa and Mariposa in the Schools, the Children's Museum in London, the March of Dimes (he was to be the chair this year), and his committment to his family. We heard a story of how, several years ago, he and others from the Ontario Science Circus (touring exhibits from the Science Centre) were stranded in a blizzard in Fort Frances. So, he urged the others to join in the local Santa Claus Parade. One former mayor (Barbara Hall) spoke, another had passed on his regret to me earlier in the week (John Sewell). Just at the point when one of Jamie's nieces spoke about how she was happy not only because she and Jamie shared a birthday, but that it was Earth Day ("Earth Day birthday" she called it), then David Suzuki walked in. A few random items come to mind from the afternoon:
One person mentioned the plaque, "How to build community" that hangs in the foyer of the Town Hall. It could have been written by Jamie, but instead he found it in a shop. Click here for the text. For a very good report of the service, see the October, 2002 Village Gleaner (unfortunately, it's not available online). Finally, Jamie's family have begun a webpage about Jamie; they are interested in collecting comments and memories of Jamie. The website also contains two articles about Jamie from the Villager. See http://www.stil.com/jamiebell/ September 8, 2002 Jamie Bell Jamie Bell, a vital part of this community died suddenly last night of a heart attack. Jamie's "official" occupation was manager of the Swansea Town Hall Community Centre, but his real job was much larger. He was seemingly everywhere at the heart of the Bloor West Village area, and especially the Swansea community. He was a large presence in every sense. He physically towered over most others at the many events and meetings he participated in; his ideas, thoughts and opinions seemed to just keep coming, and his voice alone could dominate a meeting. (I doubt anyone has ever seen Jamie Bell using a microphone). Everyone who knew him is in a state of shock today -- not only because of his relatively young age, but I think because Jamie seemed to personify energy, presence and strength. People I talked to today found it hard to believe. "Irreplaceable" was a word I heard more than once. Jamie could almost define the concept of community. He was dedicated to his community; he was passionate about building community, and determined to ensure that the community be not only "consulted", but be deeply involved in anything that affected it. If the Town Hall has become the centre of the Swansea community, Jamie was the centre of the Town Hall. He instigated, and was the prime force behind the High Park Playground, a key member of the Swansea Ratepayers, and seemingly involved in almost any event, issue and development in the area. I've worked with him over the past 2 years on the Stelco/REON development dialogue; Jamie was an endless source of ideas and suggestions. You can see some comments we received back in response to the above notice. |
