Lester V. "Buddy" Bean, Jr., 72, passed July 1, 2023 in Bangor after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 15, 1951 in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Lester V. and Roberta F. (Strout) Bean.

Buddy, as he was known to family and friends, was a 1969 graduate of Hampden Academy and worked for 37 years for General Electric in Bangor retiring in 2007. During his retirement years, he drove a school bus for RSU 22 in the Hampden School System. Buddy was a lifetime member of the Eagles Club in Brewer where he had many fond memories with his friends. He had a passion for New England sports where you would often find him watching the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins, and in the off seasons he watched NASCAR. Buddy also had a passion for cooking for his family, working on cars, and starting projects around the house.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Roberta (Strout) and son, Jeremy Bean and by a brother-in-law, Raylan.  Surviving are his three children, Kevin Bean and his wife, Tonya of Brewer, Terry Bean and his wife, Eileen of Otis and Alyssa Kilgour and her husband, Oakley of Hampden; six grandchildren, Madison and Morgan Bean, Cassie and Nicholas Bean, Morgan Venetz and Zach Hoogkamp; 4 great grandchildren, Kaeden Burk, Dominick Venetz, Max Hoogkamp and Jameson Venetz.  Also survived by seven siblings, Carlah Bishop and husband, Wayne of Kenduskeag, Ruthena Brasslett of Glenburn, Robert Bean and wife, Dorothy of Newport, Myrna Martin and husband, Adolph of Turner, Joanna Galkowski of Rockland and Verna Hussey and husband, Peter of Winslow and Rodney Bean and wife, Deanna of Lagrange; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends may visit 4 – 6 PM Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. A celebration of Buddy’s life will be held Sunday, July 9, 2023 from 10am to 1pm, at the Hampden VFW, 41 Canoe Club Road, Hampden. Private family burial will be held at a later date. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Hampden VFW Post 4633, PO Box 555 Hampden Me 04444.  Messages and memories may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.