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Stouffville Sun-Tribune n www.yorkregion.com n Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, 4 Herb Bell remembered for singing, compassion By Jim Mason OBITUARY jmason@yrmg.com STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT A house fire on the south side of Musselman's Lake is believed to have started in the basement Monday. Woman escapes $100,000 fire at lake By Sandra Bolan sbolan@yrmg.com A Musselman's Lake woman is homeless following a fire Monday morning. Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services received a call around 11:45 a.m. that a Coultice Drive home was on fire. Initial reports indicated there may have been an occupant inside, however, the firefighters' search turned up nothing. The homeowner made it outside, unharmed, prior to their arrival, according to Jennifer Cooper, fire prevention/public education officer for the fire department. There were no other occupants or pets inside. The fire is believed to have started in the basement of the wooden bungalow. There were no working smoke alarms when firefighters arrived and the home was not insured, according to Ms Cooper, who estimated the damage to be around $100,000.The Ontario Fire Marshal's office is investigating. The homeowner, a woman in her 40s, is currently with neighbours, according to Ms Cooper. Herb Bell was always quick with a joke and a kind word. The popular WhitchurchStouffville resident died Friday at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He was 79. "Herb was a very caring person and he loved to sing," said Mayor Wayne Emmerson. "He liked to help people and he wanted to keep our flea market going. He will be missed by many." The retired Toronto high school teacher was best known for singing with Stouffville's Men of Note, The Queensmen of Toronto Male Chorus and the Scarborough Choral Society. Mr. Bell was also a chorus member for several years in Stouffville's spring variety show, Music Mania. He was instrumental in launching Stouffville's Road Watch initiative and conducted driver training sessions in the community. HERB BELL: Retired teacher loved to sing and help others, Stouffville mayor remembers. Mr. Bell was in the news in 2012 when his Vandorf Road home burned to the ground. He is survived by wife Phyllis, sisters Rena Jones, Beverly Salmon and Marjorie Sorrell and a brother, David. A memorial service is being planned for this spring. Good Jobs matter! · looking for work? · interested in re-training to maximize your employment opportunities? · do you want to start a career in the Trades? · are you a youth trying to enter the workforce? Call us today! 905.640.2352 www.yorkworks.ca | 905.640.2352 | 1.866.992.9930 This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada.