Craig and Theresa Bell

HOLDEN – Craig and Theresa Bell - Craig E. Bell, 74, passed away unexpectedly in the comfort of his home on Monday, August 10, 2026. His beloved wife of 51 years, Theresa J. (Dion) Bell, 71, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, after a period of declining health.

Born and raised in Holden, Craig was the son of the late Wesley and Gloria (Forbes) Bell.

Craig was a 1970 graduate of Wachusett Regional High School. He went on to enjoy a long career as a forklift operator for Sam’s Club as well as several other local businesses. During his retirement years, he was a bus driver for the Town of Shrewsbury. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping and other outdoor activities, and was an avid train collector.

Theresa was born and raised in Grafton, the daughter of the late Leo and Lorraine (Guilmette) Dion. She was a graduate of Grafton High School, Class of 1972. She enjoyed a long career as a billing accountant for the David Clark Company and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Together, Craig and Theresa shared a love of animals, and over the course of 50 years, they provided a loving and welcoming home to many shelter dogs, often two at a time. In their spare time, they enjoyed bowling and were members of a bowling league in Worcester for many years.

Craig and Theresa will be lovingly missed and remembered by members of their family including Craig’s two brothers, Bruce Bell and his husband, George of Quincy and Alan Bell and his wife, Marilyn of Rutland, his nieces including Cindy Bell Hopper and her husband, Brian of Petersham, Melissa Bell Tarasiak and her partner, Jeff Mielnicki of Rutland and Jacqueline Bell of Kneeland, CA; his great-nieces and nephews, F. Alexis Dodridge, Jason Spekmorza, Desiree Tarasiak and Jocelyn Pulnik and great-great nieces, Liliana Sage Bell and Rory Mackenzie; Theresa’s brother, Richard Dion and his wife Heidi; and her two sisters, Jeanne Moriarty and her husband, Jeff and Annette Stratton and her husband, Rick. In addition to their parents, they were predeceased by Theresa’s brothers, James and Gerard Dion and her sister, Evelyn Koliss.

A private graveside service at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Services Adoption Center, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515 or to Shriners Children’s Boston, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. www.milesfuneralhome.com