The Rev. Charles S. Bean, 76

The Rev. Charles S. Bean, 76, of Cherry Hill, a former South Jersey parochial vicar who went on missionary trips to Brazil and Colombia, died after a long illness on Wednesday, July 21, at St. Mary's Catholic Nursing Home in Cherry Hill.

Father Bean dedicated his life to working with the poor, said those who knew him. Though he had the opportunity to work in parishes in more affluent areas, he stayed with Camden parishes as much he could.

"It was always about Camden," said the Rev. Terry Odien, vicar for the clergy of the Camden Diocese. "He loved the people of Camden."

After so many had abandoned Camden, Odien said, Father Bean wanted the church to be a constant figure residents could count on.

Even when he wasn't in Camden, he was helping the disadvantaged, especially poor Latinos coming to work in South Jersey, his family said. Father Bean became fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

"He understood their culture and worked with the families to keep them intact," said his niece Stephanie Renz.

While working as chaplain at the Glassboro Service Association Camp during an unusually cold spring in 1967, Father Bean organized a clothing drive to help Puerto Rican migrant laborers stay warm.

For several years in the 1970s, Father Bean worked in poor areas of Brazil and Colombia. While there, he wrote a book, My Name Is Jose, about the people he met.

When he returned, Father Bean worked at nine parishes in South Jersey before retiring in 1994 from Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Atlantic City.

Father Bean was born and raised in Albany, N.Y. His Catholic education had a big influence on his decision to become a priest, his niece said.

After high school, he attended Syracuse University, where he graduated with an English degree in the hope of teaching at a Catholic school. But he felt the calling and joined the priesthood, his niece said.

Father Bean was ordained in May 1962 in Camden. His first assignments were at two parishes at the Shore and then, in 1963, he was named parochial vicar at Holy Name Parish in Camden.

After more than two years, he was transferred to St. Joseph's Church in South Camden. A few years later, he worked at St. Joseph's on Federal Street in East Camden.

In the early 1970s, he jumped at the chance of going to one of the parishes that the Camden Diocese aided in Brazil, Odien said. He stayed several years, learning the culture and helping the poor.

"From the beginning he wanted to market to the poor and the marginalized," Odien said.

In his will, Father Bean specified that his funeral be as simple as possible and that his grave be marked by a simple wooden cross, Odien said.

"He was a wonderful, simple man" who touched a lot of people, Odien said.

Father Bean is survived by his brother, David.

A viewing will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 24, in the chapel of St. Mary's Catholic Nursing Home, 220 St. Mary's Dr., Cherry Hill. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m.

The rite of committal and interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.