Carlton J. Bell of Kingston, NY passed away on Friday November 11th, he was 88 years old.

Carlton was born in Gloversville, NY on June 21, 1934, to parents William Bell and Frances Schmidt. He had three siblings Helen, Frank, and Joanne, all deceased. He attended Gloversville High School, then served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War.

Carlton had taken up boxing in High School then went to the Golden Gloves tournament in Albany, and had the distinction of losing to Floyd Patterson. While in the Air Force Carlton continued boxing, participating in the all air-force tournament where he was the light-heavyweight champion. In St. Louis he entered the Golden Gloves where he met Archie Moore and was asked to spar with professional fighter Sonny Liston. He was eventually stationed in Okinawa Japan, where he was the light-heavyweight and heavyweight Air Force boxing champion.

Upon discharge from the service, Carlton married his High School sweetheart Vincie Ragusa in Gloversville in 1956.

He attended SUNY Oswego on the GI bill and earned a Bachelors degree in Industrial Arts. He was hired by Kingston City Schools Consolidated and moved to Kingston in 1959, starting as a shop teacher. While teaching full time he earned multiple Masters degrees from SUNY Albany and New Paltz. He concluded his career as an Assistant Principal at the Kingston High School, retiring in 1996 after 37 years in the district. To this day, his students remember the trepidation of being called to his office, and the stern but fair punishments he would give.

Carlton worked nearly every summer either as an administrator, or teaching swimming and diving at the YMCA, Jewish community center, and at the IBM Recreation Center in the town of Ulster. Many Kingston residents remember getting their swimming lessons from Carl.

Carlton continued to serve his community though various organizations. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is a Past Commander. He was also a member of the American Legion and was the Post Commander, and the County Commander 3 times. As a member of the Elks Club he held the office of Exalted Ruler. He was an alderman for the 5th ward, and served on the Board of Education. He was a member of Kingston Mannerchor. An avid bowler, he was the secretary for the bowling league at Mid-City Lanes in Kingston.

Throughout his life he loved meeting and talking with new people and made friends everywhere. A conversation with Carl always involved a story about his life, and the conversations were never short. He loved to travel and learn about new places – he travelled to Germany, the UK, the Baltic states, Russia, Italy, Greece, France, and Spain.

He is survived by Vince his wife of 66 years, his daughter Karla Wehr (Steve) of Hyde Park NY, Son Carlton P. Bell of Kingston NY, and son Nikki F. Bell (Danielle) of New City NY. He has 6 grandchildren: Samantha Khan, Alexis Bell, Carlton J. Bell, Kendra Bell, Ethan Bell, and Addison Bell.

The Bell family will receive family and friends at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home on Thursday November 17, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Friday November 18, 2022 at the funeral home. Burial will follow with in the Wiltwyck Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to American Legion Post 150 of Kingston.