GILBERT, S.C. – Howard Alton Bean, 83, died Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, in South Carolina, after a long illness. He was born April 14, 1926, in Portland, the son of the late Howard and Margaret Bean. After his childhood in Portland, he was in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army. He served in the Korean War, in which he received two medals of honor. He was a member of the American Legion. He spent some of his life in Kentucky and was a boxer for awhile there and spent many years in Stonington and Deer Isle before living his remaining years in South Carolina. He did many wonderful things in his life, but his passion was painting. He was loved by all who knew him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, always cherishing any time he had with them. Family members include his sister, Evelyn Goodwin of Westbrook; his children, Susan Till and her husband, Stephen, of South Carolina, Benny Robbins and his wife, Debbie, of Deer Isle, Timmy Robbins and his wife, Susan, of Deer Isle and Karen Thompson and her husband, John, of Hollis; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. In addition to wife of 33 years, Hazel, he was predeceased by his brother, Benny Bean; and daughter, Rosalie Keen. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Thurlows Hill, Stonington, where relatives and friends may join the family for visitation 11 a.m. until the hour of service Saturday. Burial will be afterward at Grays Hill Cemetery, Little Deer Isle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to The Island Angels, care of Melissa Jones Bailey, 42 Donnell Pond Road, Franklin, ME 04634. For online condolences, please visit our Web site at www.bragdonkelly.com.
HOWARD ALTON BEAN
