Kelvin Darcy John Bell, named for his paternal grandfather and father, was also given the name of Darcy, which would be the name he would use. His life ended prematurely, however, it was replete with familial affection and aspirations, just like many young men..He was born in Toronto, Ontario, October 1 1928 and was the first child ofKelvin Bell and Lillian McEwan. Named for his paternal grandfather and father, they also gave him the name of Darcy, which would be the name he would use. His life ended prematurely, yet he, like many young men, had a life full of family and dreams.. He had three sisters: Penelope Frances Bell (Chosen Child) (1942-1945), and two others that are still living. His eldest sister died unexpectedly before her third birthday.
Darcy and his paternal grandmother Alice Maude Ryder
Early Life
Darcy in 1942 Niagara Falls
Pride and joy of the young couple Darcy grew into a fine young man. For many years, he would be an only child, while, try as they might, his parents had no more children. His father, having come from a family less fortunate, still expected the young man “to pull his weight”, so one summer during the school break, Darcy took a job picking fruit in the Niagara Region. The lanky youth ate more than the rest of the family, my mother recounted, to keep up his energy for the gruelling job. My mother spoke of a daily train that took workers from Toronto to the Niagara region to pick fruit and intimated that Darcy used this train to go to his job. I could not find it. It is also possible that he took the train once a week and remained at my mother’s cousins during the week and returning on Friday evenings.
Darcy and family in Niagara in 1945
In 1942, Kelly and Lill decided that since no children were forthcoming, they would adopt. Darcy was fourteen. The process moved along and in 1943 they chose the little girl they wanted to complete the family. She came home as an infant, but they did not complete the adoption until 1945. It must have been difficult to accept a new child after being an only child for fifteen years, yet my mother never mentioned he acted out.. He continued to do well in school and took part in family outings. However, I sense he might have had an adventuresome side as well. Once highschool finished, he chose not to pursue further studies. Instead, he opted for a place in the job market. Was this his actual choice or did circumstance cause him to rethink his young life?
Train from Toronto to Niagara in 1945
Darcy and Zilda
Soon after his senior year, in 1948, Darcy married Zilda Lunney, highschool sweetheart.. The couple moved out on their own and soon after had a baby boy. The marriage was not a success for the two and not long after the birth of their child, they separated and eventually divorced. They both would remarry and have second families.
Darcy and Joy
The 1957 voter’s list has Darcy listed as a purchasing agent and living on Fielding Avenue in Toronto’s East York. He is living with Joy and his future mother-in-law, Eddytha Parmeter.
The 1957 voter’s list has Darcy listed as a purchasing agent and living on Fielding Avenue in Toronto’s East York. He is living with Joy and his future mother-in-law, Eddytha Parmeter.
On February 6, 1958, Darcy married Frances Joy Parmeter. The couple knew one another for several years prior to the marriage, and would eventually have five children together. They bought a small bungalow on Mossbank Avenue in Scarborough, Ontario. Joy’s mother lived in an apartment in the basement. Darcy’s father passed away February 6, 1978 in St. Petersburg, Florida when Darcy was 49. His parents were at their winter home. It would not be long before he would join his father, but that was unknown, as he was healthy at the time of his father’s death.
Darcy in 1971 at my wedding
The family remained in Scarborough until 1968 until they left Toronto and move north to a small town near Sudbury. At this point, Darcy was working for Inco Mines in their laboratory. He remained working there and also with his wife Joy in publishing a community newspaper until his death in 1981. The young father of six children passed away January 14, 1981, leaving his widow and children to mourn his death. The family buried Darcy at Maple Crest Cemetery, Dowling, Greater Sudbury Municipality, Ontario, Canada.
Citations
(1) B. 1928 Bell Kelvin Darcy John Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Seventh Census of Canada, 1931; Folder Number: T-27304; Census Place: Toronto-Scarborough, Ontario, Canada; Page Number: s (2) M.1948 Bell Darcy/Lunney Zelda (3) Voters List 1957 Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980 (4) M.1958 Bell Darcy/ Parmeter Frances Joy (5) D.1981 Bell Kelvin Darcy John Canada, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (6) Bur. Canada, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (7) http://www.trainweb.org/elso/nsthist3.htm https://transittoronto.ca/regional/4756.shtml https://transittoronto.ca/photos/regional-transit-photo-gallery/oshawa-railway/oshawa-railway-1940.html https://torontorailwaymuseum.com/