Pells, Harry J., 1898-1991

Dates

• Usage: 1898 December 14 - 1991 March 31

Biography

Born in Russia. Owned Harry J. Pells insurance Agency. Buried in Los Angeles, CA.

Biography

Obituary - Rocky Mountain News (CO) - April 13, 1991 Deceased Name: HARRY J. PELLS, JEWISH LEADER, DIES AT 92

Harry J. Pells, former insurance businessman and leader in the Denver Jewish community, died March 31 in Los Angeles. He was 92.

Services have been held.

A Russian immigrant, Mr. Pells started the Harry J. Pells Insurance Agency in Denver in the late 1920s after moving here from Kansas City, Mo. He was president of the General Agents and Managers Association in 1963 when he helped pass Colorado's insurance-licensing legislation.

He retired in 1968 and moved to California.

Mr. Pells was active in numerous Jewish causes, serving as president of Congregation Rodef Shalom and B'nai B'rith Denver Lodge 141. He was an organizer and officer of the Jewish Community Center, a charter member and commander of the Jewish War Veteran Post 342 in Denver, and he helped collect arms for Israel in 1948.

He served in various capacities with the Allied Jewish Federation and was a director of the Guardians of the Home for the Jewish Aged in Los Angeles.

Mr. Pells served in the Army Tank Corps during World War I and the Marine Corps from 1919 to 1923 in the Dominican Campaign. He was a major in the Army Air Transport Command during World War II.

A trustee of American Legion Post 1 in Denver, Mr. Pells was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Columbine Lodge 147 AF&AM and El Jebel Shrine Temple.

His survivors include two sons, Joseph and David of Denver; a daughter, Betty Lee Hahn of Denver; a brother, Alvin Pelofsky of Kansas City; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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