Gary Lee Bean

Gary L. Bean Sr. was born February 21, 1955 in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, where he was raised as the fifth of an unimaginable eight(!) children. After graduating from Nordonia High School, he shipped off to serve four years active duty in the United States Navy on the west coast and in the Pacific Ocean. His time in service was one of his proudest memories.

Gary was married to Mae-Beth Piekarski for much of his life. Together they had four amazing children that made Gary incredibly proud to be a father. The family would later return to Sagamore Hills, around the block from where he grew up, where Gary would mow the grass with a Forrest Gump-like enthusiasm. Gary loved driving, and for much of his career he worked as a semi-truck driver for a lumber yard.

Among those attributes for which Gary will be remembered, he not only served in the Navy but also swore like a sailor; loved his children and worked very hard throughout his life to provide for them; devoted also to his siblings, parents, mother-in-law, and larger family; was a very humble man with little pretense; was a very social person who seemed to make friends everywhere he went; struggled with but ultimately overcame addiction; loved M.A.S.H. and Star Trek; appreciated the finer things like camping, darts, horseshoes, and driving our Chevy boxed van down the road with the sliding door open; used the hard experiences of life in the latter half of his life to open his heart; and closest to his true character, he would give the shirt off his back to a person in need.

Gary passed away peacefully on April 27, 2022, at the Sandusky Veterans Home as a result of complications from advanced vascular dementia at the age of 67.

Gary is preceded in death by Noelle Bean (daughter), John Bean Sr (father), Agnes Bean (mother), Judith Marflak (sister), David Bean (brother), and Jean Marie (sister).

He is survived by:

- His children and their spouses/partners: Gary Jr (Trisha), Adam (Lori), Tessa (Josh).
- His grandchildren: Logan and Elliana, Colton and Brynn Noelle
- His siblings and their spouses: Richard (Linda), John Jr (Terry), Cynthia, Susan, Whalain (Barb)
- His ex-wife and friend: Mae-Beth Fitch
- His memories that live on in all of us.

Friends who wish to join the family in celebrating his life are invited to a memorial service for Gary on Monday, June 6 at 9:45am at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, OH 44273. https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ohiowesternreserve.asp

The family gives special thanks and recognition to Susan Bean, Adam Bean, and Lori Bean for their extraordinary efforts and unconditional love that supported Gary through rough waters in his later years.

Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky has been entrusted with arrangements.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.

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