It is with great sadness and grief that the family of HIGaawandlii Skilaa Lawrence Bell, announces his passing.
He crossed over peacefully at the age of 77, surrounded by his loved ones.
Lawrence of the Sdast'aas Eagle clan in Haida Gwaii was one of the last 2 fluent Xaad Kil speakers, the Massett Dialect of the Haida Language
He was a highly respected, humble and proud Uncle, brother-in-law, and the role he cherished the most... Chinney!! He loved dancing and swimming but his favourite time spent was with his grandchildren.
Lawrence was a successful man who started working at a very young age. He worked with his father on his boat a short while before working his first job in the cannery. He was a taxi driver, bartended and was elected school trustee. He was a skilled welder/fabricator who worked in a logging camp during the construction of the mills. When he moved to Vancouver he worked in a welding/fabricator shop in False Creek where they made the chassis of trailers for semis. He always said "I can weld everything but the break of day".
He went on to become a transit operator for over 25 years before retiring.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Hansen Helmer, her four girls, their children and his great grand-children:
Denise Anderson, her children, Mikaila (Jeremiah) Buday, Christopher Anderson (Sara) & their children Atlas & Elysium; Shelley Bell, her boys, Gregory and Kurtis Lennon; Deborah Bell (John) her children, Tyler and Catherine Terry (their father, Wayne Terry); Melinda Bell, her boys, Travis and Zachary Bell;
his extended family; and friends
Lawrence was Predeceased by his father Làanaas Sdang Adam Bell, his mother, T'aaw Guud Nang Kaas Ruth Bell, and his four brothers; Calvin, Jonathan, Desmond St Clair and Freeman
Uncle Lawrence/Chinney gave us the most precious gift of all, himself ❤️
He is greatly missed and will be in our hearts and thoughts forever ❤️
May you RISP Chinney Lawrence
As was his wish, a private cremation was arranged; there will be no funeral service. We invite you to please privately celebrate Lawrence Bell's memory in your own ways. I know that he will be with us all in spirit.
Thank you for respecting Lawrence's wishes for privacy during this difficult time.
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