Harvey Ballen

HARVEY BALLEN on April 6, 2024. Harvey M Ballen of Huntingdon Valley died peacefully surrounded by his family on April 6 at the age of 95. Born in Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve in 1928, Harvey spent his high school years in Lebanon, PA and brought up his family in Huntingdon Valley, PA.  After two stints in the United States Army, Harvey attended Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA through the GI Bill.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. Harvey was a patriot and he instilled within his children a love for the United States; on every national holiday he would lead the family in a tradition of hanging the American flag and saying the pledge of allegiance.  A world traveler, Harvey took many trips with his beloved wife, Rhoda, to dozens of countries including Kenya, the Galapagos Islands, Ukraine, Peru, Israel, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Ireland, Morocco, Kazakhstan, China, Burma, Vietnam, and Cambodia. His photography hobby was enhanced by these experiences, and, over the years, he filled the family house with beautiful photographs of their travels.  Harvey paired his love of food with his spirit of entrepreneurialism by owning Longfellows hoagie shops and delis throughout Philadelphia. His last place, Terry’s Deli in Havertown, allowed him to indulge his love of good beer by selling mixed six packs of beer years before the craft beer scene arrived in Philadelphia. In his later years spent at Horsham Center for Jewish Living, Harvey kept up with politics, Philly sports teams, presenting travelogs about his travels to his fellow residents and writing a book about his childhood. At the time of his death at 95, he was working on a ChatGPT book about his wife Rhoda. Harvey was the eternal optimist and found joy in every experience, hobby or travel, but there was nothing more important to him than his family. Whether he was with his children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews, Harvey was always happiest surrounded by family. He often remarked that the times spent on the back porch listening to the Phillies with a good beer, a cigar and his family were his happiest times. He had a unique relationship with each of his grandchildren and was looking forward to being a great Poppop this summer. Harvey was a complex man who loved the simple pleasures and instilled values of patriotism, hard work, and love of family into his family. Beloved husband of the late Rhoda (nee Resneck); Loving father of Toby Ayash (Meir), Sheila Ballen (Susan Crawshaw), and Morton Ballen (Andres Freyre); Devoted Popop of Matan (Davida), Noa, Or, Moriah, Tess, and Camilla. He was predeceased by daughter Anne Gaynor (Avrum). Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral Services, Monday, 1:30 PM precisely at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks Suburban North Chapel, 310 2^nd St. Pike, Southampton, PA. Int. Roosevelt Mem. Park. Shiva will be observed at the home of Toby and Meir Ayash. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Michael Levin Base, www.themichaellevinbase.org or to Jewish National Fund, www.jnf.org