Beloved Manchester Bus Driver Julius Bee Remembered

MANCHESTER, NJ — For nearly 50 years, students of the Manchester Township Schools were greeted by the smiling face of Julius Bee as he picked them up and drove them to school.

He is being remembered for touching those lives as his family and the district mourns him. Julius Caesar Bee died Jan. 9 at Community Medical Center in Toms River. He was 89, according to his obituary on the Anderson & Campbell Home for Funerals website.

"Generations of Manchester students, colleagues, and residents knew Mr. Bee as a smiling, friendly, and comforting bus driver who safely transported students to and from school, day in and day out," the Manchester Township School District said in a statement. "He provided consistency as a friendly face for all of the students he transported, even Manchester’s student-athletes who he regularly transported to and from sports games around the state."

"His gentle nature, love of students and dedication to our Manchester community was admirable, deeply appreciated and will be greatly missed," the district said.

Tributes to the beloved driver filled the comments on the Manchester Township Education Assocation Facebook tribute to Bee, many of which called him a legend and highlighted his kindness and positivity.

"Mr. Bee was the best example of the school-wide motto of 'excellence by example'," Megan Scheffler wrote. "His positivity was contagious. Sad day for the Manchester community."

"Mr. Bee was such a happy and kind man," Kimberly Peck wrote. "He drove me to school as a child, remembered me when I started teaching at MTES and then drove my oldest to school a few times."

"You were the best bus driver out there in Manchester," Kendraa Brown wrote. "You will be missed so much here. Always had me laughing and smiling even on my bad days."

"We always loved having Mr. Bee as our driver for track and cross country." Barbara Jean wrote. "He cheered for our kids and genuinely cared about them."

"You knew the names of all the kids and they were so impressed you always remembered them with a kind word," Margaret Camposano wrote. "We had no worries when our kids were in your care. Thank you for your dedication to Manchester and to our country."

"He was such a sweet gentleman," Karen Freeman wrote, "always a smile and we all knew our kids were in good hands with him. May he rest in peace. He will be missed by so many but what a wonderful legacy he leaves behind."

Cara Lynne called him "an exceptional human being and touched so many lives. I’m glad I had the pleasure of knowing him as a child and also as a young adult working at the summer camp. He is certainly not one who will be easily forgotten."

"A sad day for Manchester," Councilwoman Michele Zolezi wrote on the MTEA tribute. "What a wonderful man who exemplified integrity and the core values that our school district and community were built on. A genuine, kind, sincere. and selfless man. He was well respected because he treated others in kind."

"Manchester Township is a special place because of the kindness of residents like Mr. Bee," Mayor Robert Arace wrote in a Facebook tribute. "You will be missed by a grateful community, but never forgotten."

"What an honor to know you, Mr.Bee," Jane Williams wrote. "Your daily visits to the guidance office were the best part of my day. Always, always a smile like no other and positive, uplifting words … a true gentleman in every sense of the word."

"The amount of lives impacted and changed as a result of one man is truly astounding and extremely uplifting," Michael Salvatore wrote. "Thank you for your years of service to our country in the Air Force, and your countless years of guidance in the MTSD. Your positivity and smile will live on."

"Mr. Bee - you made the world a better place. Thank you!" Sue McCarthy wrote.

Bee, who was born in Brooklyn, NY, "lived a life of service," his family said, serving "his country, his community, his God, and his family as a role model and leader for his entire adult life."

Bee served in the U.S. Air Force, enlisting in the early 1950s. He was a military police officer and Security Forces warrior, and served in the Vietnam War and in Africa on United Nations missions.

He became a Manchester Township school bus driver, "THE bus driver," after his military service, working full-time for 36 years and as a substitute driver for another nine years after his retirement.

"It was extremely difficult to go anywhere in Whiting or the surrounding area without seeing someone who would yell 'Mr. Bee!' … invariably one of his former 'kids' who remembered him fondly," his family said.

Bee is also a member of the Hawks Hall of Honor at Manchester Township High School for his service in the U.S. Air Force. The Hall of Honor recognizes graduates who served, or are currently serving, in the U.S. armed forces.

He was an active member and past deacon of the Whiting Bible Church.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma (Richardson-Dant) Bee, and had five children, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. His parents, Willie and Daisy, grandson Adam, and great-grandson, Ebin, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home at 115 Lacey Road, Whiting, on Jan. 18 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.–9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Whiting Bible Church, 95 Lacey Road, Whiting, at 11 a.m. Jan. 19, with burial with military honors to follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Arneytown, NJ, at 1 p.m. Jan. 19.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests considering a donation to the Whiting Bible Church, 95 Lacey Road, Whiting NJ, 08759. Or, use the “Donate” button at the bottom of the church's website for a PayPal option.