01/24/2025
Remembering Lawrence M. Bell
We are saddened to share the loss of Lawrence M. Bell z"l, former Federation board trustee and cherished community leader.
Larry held numerous volunteer and leadership positions at Federation, including chair of the Community Relations Committee, chair of the Attorneys Division of the Jewish Welfare Fund, and a board member of Young Leadership Division. He is a past recipient of the Marvin & Milton Kane Young Leadership Award, now the Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award. He also chaired the board of Siegal College.
Our thoughts are with the entire Bell family during this difficult time. May his memory be for a blessing.
Please read the Cleveland Jewish News obituary, reprinted with permission. Text provided below:
Lawrence M. Bell, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Jan. 22, 2025. He was born on Oct. 9, 1935, in Cleveland Heights to the late Edwin and Lilyan Bell (nee Shulman).
Larry was a highly respected corporate attorney specializing in contract law and mergers and acquisitions for over fifty years at Benesch Law in Cleveland, where he authored the 2010 "Benesch Contract Drafting Style Manual." He was an adjunct professor of contract law at both Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland and Cleveland State University College of Law.
He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Miami University in Oxford and a Juris Doctor from CWRU School of Law, where he was first in his class in 1961, and number one on the Ohio State Bar that year.
Larry was a leader and philanthropist in the community. At the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood, he held numerous volunteer and leadership positions including chairman of the Community Relations Committee, chairman of the Attorneys Division of the Jewish Welfare Fund and a board member of Young Leadership Division, receiving the Marvin & Milton Kane Young Leadership Award, now the Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award. He chaired the board of Siegal College. His commitment to the Cleveland community included board treasurer of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Inc., membership in the CWRU Society of Benchers and the Steering Committee of Leadership Cleveland.
Larry traveled the world with his wife, Nancy. Among the many destinations, highlights include chairing a Young Leadership Mission to Israel, traveling to the Soviet Union to meet with refuseniks and a trip to China as the Benesch representative of TerraLex, an international group of law firms.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Wilkoff Bell, and his children, Jessica (Alan) Semel, Elizabeth (Martin) Elgison, Sarah (Dan) Garrison and Ari Spectorman (Anthony Ortiz). He was the cherished “Bippy” of Rebecca Semel, Kari (Andrew) Exler and Jamie Semel (fiancé Jake Rohlfs) and great-granddaughter Nora Exler. He is also survived by his brothers, Bruce and Howard (Wanda), and many nieces and nephews.
Larry was a loyal friend and mentor to many. He left a lasting impression on all who met him. Gratitude to Home Instead and their extraordinary care givers.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel at 1985 S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights.
To view this service, visit bkbmc.com, click on Lawrence Bell obituary, navigate to the Services Section below and click on “JOIN LIVESTREAM”.
Shiva will be observed following the service until 4:30 p.m., from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 25 and 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 at Four Seasons Apartment Party Room in Building 3 at 26600 George Zeiger Drive in Beachwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland (jewishcleveland.org/), Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org/) or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel.
