David Wesley Ballentine

David Wesley Ballentine passed away Saturday March 29, 2014.  He was born in Plainfield, NJ on May 12, 1924 to Catherine McKay and Henry Clark Ballentine.

David was a Private in the Army during WWII and became a Boson on the Flying Enterprise II right after the war.  He met Chiyoko (who passed away in 1981) post war Japan and raised Mariko in Ellenville, NY.  David worked as a Carpenter until his retirement in 1989. He met Hisako in 1985 and they were companions until his death.

David was an honest and hard-working man who loved providing for his family.  He could do anything he set his mind to including building a house from the trees in his backyard, as well as a stone wall when he was well into his 70’s.  He was always reading and learning and was not intimidated by the internet, which he used frequently to post on Face Book and to Skype with his daughter in Los Angeles.  

He is survived by his companion of almost 30 yrs, Hisako Conklin, his only daughter Mariko, Hisako’s daughter and son-in-law Audrey and Robert Phelps, and his nieces and nephews: Keith, Annette, David, Dennis, Paul, Cameron, Jeannine, Paul II, Kyle, Winona, Alex, Peter, Andy, and his beloved cat Koyuki.

David was pre-deceased by his wife, Chiyoko Hayashi (Mariko’s mother) and his three brothers and their wives: William & Margaret, Hugh & Clara, Robert & Aline, as well as his nieces and nephew: Suzanne, Cathy, Hugh Jr. and Beatrice.

There will be a private burial at Fantinekill, but no funeral.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County.