Recipient Jim Kuzel, with Jill Schneden, front, Bob Stapleton and wife Vicky.

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The recipient of this week's Ben's Bell is Jim Kuzel, who helps his family, friends and just about anyone else with just about anything they need.

Kuzel was nominated by his longtime friend, Jill Schneden, who wrote that he's "a man who just can't stop ... befriending everyone and every cause."

"You always know if you can't be there to do something that has to be done, he's the person you can rely on," she said. "You can depend on him to do anything."

Kuzel's list of helpful deeds is long.

He helps out at his church, Tanque Verde Lutheran, 8625 E. Tanque Verde Road, donating turkeys at Thanksgiving, delivering food to the needy on a weekly basis and taking in supplies for vacation Bible school.

He regularly visits Schneden's father, retired Navy Capt. Bob Stapleton, at his assisted-living facility and has befriended numerous other residents there. "There are long talks over cigars, wheelchair rides, 'Law and Order' shows, bird feeders to fill, beards to shave," Schneden wrote. She added that Kuzel has taken her father to the optometrist and gladly gives the older man an ear when there are "Navy stories to hear for the third and fourth time."

Kuzel has attended baseball and football games at Sabino High School for several years to support Schneden's athletic son, and also has backed the teen's numerous causes, including Operation Wounded Warrior and work for the American Red Cross.

And he recently spent three months as Schneden's "chauffeur" when a medical situation prevented her from driving.

"He considers everyone family," Schneden said. "He does it through church, with his neighbors, other friends. Whomever he can befriend and help he does."

Kuzel, 64, and his wife, Vicky, came to Arizona about three years ago. The affable Kuzel, better known as "Q" because people have had trouble saying his last name — it's pronounced Q-Zell — had been a police officer for 30 years in Schaumburg, Ill., a northwest Chicago suburb, and retired as a lieutenant.

About 10 days after his retirement party, he had triple-bypass surgery and almost died.

But, "God said, 'I'm not done with you yet,' " Kuzel said.

After 13 weeks of rehabilitation, he left the hospital. Soon afterward, he and his wife moved to Tucson. The couple had been visiting Schneden and her husband, also named Jim, for 20 years — since they'd moved here from Illinois — and had always known they wanted to end up here as well.

Being retired offers Kuzel the chance to help people, something he was brought up to do to be a good person, Kuzel said.

"I was raised by a wonderful mom and dad," he said. "They led by example, and all I'm doing is sharing God's love. I'm doing what you're supposed to do."

He also said it's easy to be nice to people who are so nice themselves, like the Schnedens.

"We're lucky to have them as friends," he said. "They're like a second family."

How could the folks with the bells resist? They honored Kuzel recently, and with help from his wife, Schneden and her family, it was a true surprise.

They all told Kuzel that they'd make a regular visit to Stapleton an even bigger treat and celebrate Kuzel's birthday early — he turns 65 in August. So they packed a lunch to eat in Stapleton's room. In the middle of the meal, Ben's mother, Jeannette Maré-Packard walked in and asked for Kuzel.

"I said, 'Something's up,' " Kuzel said. "Strangers don't pronounce my name properly."

She handed him his bell, and he felt extremely proud, he said.

"Guys aren't supposed to cry, but I did. I blubbered," he said. "I was so honored.

"It's a humbling award and reminds you of how blessed you are each and every day."

Having been close to death makes him appreciate his time more, he said.

"Life itself is a miracle," he said. "To be honored by Ben is just beyond words. It's one of the best things that's happened to me in my entire life. I used to hit home runs in baseball. This is more than a home run. This is fantastic. It left me speechless."

Schneden was happy to be able to give back to someone who's given her family so much. And the belling of such a modest man, she said, was highly entertaining.

"He was bewildered, he was shocked, and then he cried," she said. "It was lots of fun."