Raymond F. Bean

November 4, 1930 - November 21, 2021

Raymond Bean, age 91, passed away on November 21, 2021. Ray was born in 1930, in Detroit to Wallace Bean and Myrtle (Cook) Bean. In 1954, he married Patricia Green, the love of his life, at Holy Redeemer Church in Detroit. The couple made their home in Royal Oak for many years and were very active members at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. Ray was a humble servant of his church, community and country, and cherished as a husband, father, wise counselor, mentor, and leader. In his youth, Ray enjoyed playing with friends and his dog in the wide-open spaces of Royal Oak in the 1930s. He was a Boy Scout and athlete, excelling at tennis, basketball, and football. A graduate of Shrine High School and the University of Detroit, Ray was a talented architectural engineer. After sharing those talents in the Naval Construction Corp, Ray joined the architectural firm of Eero Saarinen. He was on the team designing buildings and monuments on the Yale University campus, the TWA terminal at JFK airport, the US Embassy in London, and the Gateway Arch in St Louis, and the US Embassy in London. As an architect and construction manager at General Motors Argonaut, Ray planned and built assembly plants, offices, and research facilities globally. Throughout all, Ray was known for his professionalism, honesty, integrity, and understanding the “big picture” when making decisions. Ray was involved in many aspects of Shrine of the Little Flower Parish throughout his life, including Acolyte, Facilities Advisor, Boy Scout Committee Chair, Usher, Docent and St. Vincent DePaul volunteer. He also served on the Royal Oak Library board. Along with his dear wife, Patty, Ray loved his 7 children, He instilled in us a love of the outdoors, leading the family on camping adventures across the USA and into Canada. Ray always had a chore list at home, fixing, painting, and gardening in the old home on Sunset Blvd, teaching the family along the way. In retirement years, Patty and Ray loved spending time with grandchildren and their annual relaxing weeks at Interlochen State Park, enjoying the musical performances at the Interlochen Arts Camp. Ray and Patty's door was always open to neighbors, friends, and those in need. All were welcome there. Beloved husband of the late Patricia Bean. Loving father of Michael (Colleen) Bean, Catherine (Randall) Foss, David (Mary Kay) Bean, Lawrence (Catherine) Bean, James (Wendy) Bean, Ann Marie (Michael) Wattai and Stephen (Marci) Bean. Proud grandfather of Alexander, Amanda, Andrew, Christopher, Danielle, Erin, Elizabeth, Jasper, Matthew, Meghan, Michelle, and Patrick and of ten great-grandchildren: Asher, Caleb, Emerson, Gideon, Harrison, Ivy, James, Rosalind, Silas and Soren. Dear brother of the late John Bean, Thomas Bean, and James Bean. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the staff of Mendelson Assisted Living and the Lourdes Senior Community for their kind and loving care of Raymond. The funeral Mass will be at The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica and live streamed at 9:55 am, Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Limited visitation will start at 9:30 am in the St. Therese Chapel at Shrine. Masks and social distancing are requested by the family. Please follow Covid prevention best practices. To access the livestreaming funeral, go to and scroll down to the Livestream button. Memorial contributions to Right to Life-Lifespan, St. Vincent dePaul Society at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, or Lourdes Senior Community are appreciated. Links and addresses below. Share your memories at Sullivan Funeral Directors.com St Vincent DePaul Society c/o The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica 2100 W. 12 Mile Road Royal Oak, MI 48073-3910 Lourdes Senior Community 2300 Watkins Lake Read Waterford MI 48328 Right to Life - LIFESPAN 32540 Schoolcraft Road, Suite 100 Livonia, MI 48150-4305