Luis Alfonso Bello

Luis Alfonso Bello, age 85 of West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away, while surrounded by love on August 7, 2024. Luis was born on April 4, 1939, in Bogota, Colombia. Luis was married to the love of his life Marina for 57 years until her passing in 2019. He was a devoted husband, who adored Marina from the first moment he laid eyes on her as a young adult in Bogota, to his last moment of breath. Luis spoke of Marina often and enjoyed reminiscing about their life together. Luis was a proud man; filled with gratitude for the family he and Marina raised, and their 7 grandchildren whom he adored. Luis immigrated to America alone, hoping for a more prolific life for his growing family. Although he did not speak English when he came to the United States and had just a few dollars in his pocket; He worked countless jobs, often nearly around the clock to raise enough money to send for his family back in Colombia. His work ethic was unrelenting throughout his life. He was well respected by all who knew him, both personally and professionally. He never called out of work for any reason, and no matter how strenuous the job detail was, he never complained. Luis was able to move Marina and their three children to America in 1972; soon after, growing their family with one more child the following year. Luis and Marina settled and raised their family in Yonkers, New York. Luis, considered himself blessed to be afforded the opportunities he and his family were granted, and never took his life in America for granted. He always stressed to his children and grandchildren that they must work hard to be successful, for nothing was ever to be handed to them. For much of Luis’s working tenure, we worked as a taxi and limo driver. The job he did the longest and had the most affinity for was as a school bus driver. It was there he was the most fulfilled, and felt the most impactful to both himself the children and families he tended to. “Mr. Luis”, as the students respectfully referred to him, often had his school bus artfully decorated by the students, and knew all of the children by first name. He rarely ended a school day without a greeting card, drawing, or small gift of appreciation from one of his young passengers. Luis was known to start his workday earlier than required daily to double-check safety standards on his bus. He was cognizant of the importance of getting “his kids” to and from school safely and guaranteeing the parents a worry-free day. When he retired, the school and the families recognized him for his years of service and loyalty to all he served. In 2009, Luis moved to West Palm Beach, living out his golden years with warm weather, long walks with his beloved, and Parcheesi game nights with new friends, until Marina’s passing. Soon after, Luis moved into an assisted living home, where he was lovingly cared for until his passing. Luis is survived by his children, Luis Harvey Bello, Janette (John) Busetto, Nelson Bello, John (Esti) Bello, and grandchildren Steven, Brendan, Bryan, Jillian, Angelina, Madelyn, and Avery. Luis leaves behind numerous extended family members as well. He was predeceased by his wife Marina, mother Blanca Maria Bello, and father Eustorigio Torres. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Luis’s memory to St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington, Florida. A memorial service will be held at 9:15 am, on Friday, August 16th, 2024 at St. Rita Catholic Church of Wellington Florida.

Luis Alfonso Bello

April 4, 1939 - August 7, 2024