Harry Ballentyne Rhodes

Harry Ballentyne Rhodes, originally from Bethlehem, PA. died August 24, 2024 at Weston Care Center in Hellertown, PA.  Harry was in the care of The Amedisys Foundation Hospice since February 24, 2024. Harry was 83 years old and was born June 19, 1941.  He was raised in Harmony, NJ.

At 19, he moved in with his grandmother, Ella Ballentyne Rhodes in Phillipsburg, NJ.  She loved him dearly and he was happy there.  Harry took care of her when she became ill.  When she passed away, Harry bought his first house in Palmer Twp. in Easton, PA.  He eventually sold that house and bought the house across from his sister Lillian E. Rhodes in Bethlehem, PA.  Harry went to grade school in Harmony, NJ. and graduated from Belvidere, NJ. High School in 1959.  He immediately joined the Armed Forces.  After his Honorary discharge, Harry went to school for drafting and worked as a Draftsman at Mack Printing in Easton, PA. Harry then worked for Peter Dennis and Gifts in Phillipsburg, NJ.  Harry’s last job was working as a Bridge Officer for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.  He worked there for many years until he retired.  Harry loved fishing and bought a boat and he and his handicapped friend, Buzz would go fishing on the Delaware River, usually where his grandmother had a cottage at Hutchinson in NJ.  Harry’s great grandfather, Harry Ballentyne founded Hutchinson in their covered wagons.  Then Harry’s friend, Buzz died.  Harry had no other friend.  Harry was a very lonely and unhappy man.  He looked for many years for a woman who would love him and wanted to get married.  Harry was always honest, thoughtful and even wrote on his senior year book picture that he’d be happy one day.  Then years after he retired, Harry got very sick, had many doctors and always in the hospital.  He had to sell his house and after three nursing homes, Harry ended up at Weston Care Center on January 27, 2017.  Harry was happy there for awhile.  He even had a girlfriend, who was also a resident.  Then he got his foot inured and since one of his ailments is diabetes, it wouldn’t heal and just kept getting worse, until he couldn’t walk anymore or wear a shoe on his right foot.  Harry said he didn’t want to go to the hospital anymore and wanted Hospice.  Father Matthew Hummel, who is affiliated with Hospice has been coming in to see Harry for over a year.  He says everyone at Hospice that takes care of Harry loves him.  He also said he would be honored to speak at Harry’s funeral.

Harry’s living survivors are his sister, Lillian Rhodes, who will always love him and cooked for him and always had Harry at her picnics.  He loved to do the Chicken Dance.  Other living survivors are his nephew, Shawn Sofie and his wife Kathy and their two children, Emilee Sofie and Nicole Buchman and husband Brian.  Niece Cheri Mellott, Niece Danielle Hurocy and husband Patrick and Danielle’s son, Stephen.  Nephew Robert Rhodes and wife Meredith and Robert’s son, Owen.  Harry is also Robert’s Godfather.  Harry’s younger brother Robert W. Rhodes predeceased Harry in 2021.  Robert was married to Cynthia Strahler Rhodes.  Harry also has may cousins.

A viewing will be held on Friday August 30, 2024 from 12 noon to 1 pm at The Finegan Funeral Home, 4080 William Penn Highway, Easton, Pa., followed by a Funeral Service at 1pm. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Phillipsburg.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice.  Name and address are:  The Amedisys Foundation, 7660 Imperial Way, Allentown, PA 18195.