Charlie Bell, 44; Former CEO of McDonald’s Corp.

Charlie Bell, who served seven months last year as chief executive of McDonald’s Corp., died Sunday. He was 44.

Bell was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in May 2004 and resigned from the company in November, McDonald’s said in a statement. He died in Sydney, Australia, his hometown.

Bell was named chief executive in April 2004 following the death of Jim Cantalupo. In that post, he focused on boosting European sales and took the company into the $17.3-billion market for deli sandwiches.

“No matter what cards life dealt, Charlie stayed centered on his love for his family and for McDonald’s,” Chief Executive Jim Skinner said in the statement announcing Bell’s death.

Before becoming head of McDonald’s, Bell was president and chief operating officer. Earlier, he had served as president of McDonald’s Europe.

He started working for McDonald’s in Australia when he was 15, and became Australia’s youngest McDonald’s store manager at 19. He was named a vice president at age 27.

Bell decided to pursue a career at the restaurant chain after studying television and film at North Sydney Technical College. He met his future wife at McDonald’s, where she was a fellow employee.

He is survived by his wife, Leone, and a daughter.