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Memorial for Rev. Harry R. Benson, Jr.
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Born in Philadelphia, PA on Jun. 6, 1968
Departed on Nov. 12, 2009 and resided in Newark, DE.
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| Visitation: |
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
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| Service: |
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
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| Cemetery: |
Mt. Lawn Cemetery
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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Rev. Harry R. Benson, Jr., was the second of two children born to the late Margaret (Johnson) and the late Rudolph Harry Benson, on June 6, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He departed his earthly journey on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Harry received his forma1 education in the Philadelphia Public School system and graduated from Overbrook High School. He furthered his education by attending and graduating from the Philadelphia Community College.
He was employed by Misericordia Hospital for 5 years and worked for many years at Growth Horizon. Harry received his religious training at Sayre United Methodist Church where he served as an acolyte, and was musician/director of the Youth Choir.
At an early age it was evident that Harry was blessed with musical gifts for singing and playing the piano and organ and he used those gifts in many ways. He also accepted the call from God and prepared himself to preach the Word by attending the center for Urban Theological Studies. Harry graduated from the Manna Bible Institute in Madison, NJ.
In 1991 he was smitten by the lovely Anita F. Christian. This relationship blossomed and they were united in Holy Matrimony in May of 1993. They are the proud parents of four beautiful children, Allen Nicholas, Aaron Nathaniel, Alysce Kia, and Atina Danielle.
The call to preach was strong and Harry accepted the charge to Pastor at Siloam United Methodist Church in Chester, PA where he served for 11 years. During his tenure, under the anointing of God, the church was revived, renewed, and experienced spiritual as well as physical growth. He was also the Pastor at Eastwick United Methodist Church in Philadelphia for 3 years where they were reaching out to minister to others and sharing the Good News of our, Lord and Savior. He was known as the “singing preacher” and he did both under the Supreme anointing.
Rev. Harry R. Benson was a very special and unique person, his warm personality and his belief in God endeared him to many people and helped him to accomplish many things in life. Some of his accomplishments are shared as follows: Over the years music was a constant thread that wove through his life. As a young man he was a vocalist and toured with the Philadelphia All Boys Choir where they sang for the Queen of England. He conducted and was a guest soloist for the Messiah Service at Tinley Temple United Methodist Church. Harry sang back up vocal for such artists as Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Shirley Caesar, Vicki Winans, Richard Smallwood, Stevie Wonder, and DeeDee Sharp Gamble. He sang with Gospel Groups such as the David Winslow Singers, Gabriel Hardeman Delegation and the Philadelphia Youth Mass Choir.
He conducted many choirs in the Delaware, Philadelphia, and New Jersey area. Most recently he directed the Eastern Pennsylvania United Methodist Church Conference Choir which represented over 1300 churches in the Eastern Pennsylvania area. He was the founder of the Eastwick Chorale Ensemble which is now known as the Eastwick Mass Choir. The choir was a finalist in the 2008 Verizon "How Sweet the Sound" Gospel Competition. He was the founder of "Praise" a male musical ensemble and "Angelica" a female musical ensemble. He also played for the Choral Ensemble from St. Paul AME Church. His multifaceted talent also included major roles in many
Theatrical performances such as Wicked Ways, The Wiz, Dreamgirls, Nutcracker, and Ain't Misbehavin. In October 2008 he performed at the Apollo Theater in New York for Amateur Night and was voted the top male vocalist for 2008. He also served as the Minister of Music at Living Waters United Methodist Church. Most recently, he received the NAACP Youth Fine Arts Development Award. We will no longer hear that melodious voice singing our favorite songs, enjoy the music as his talented fingers tickle the keyboard, hear him preach the Word, see him majestically direct a choir, enjoy his sense of humor, or just have a conversation with our beloved Rev. Harry R. Benson, Jr., but the legacy of memories he left behind will linger in our hearts forever. The work he has done truly speaks for him!
Rev. Harry Benson's memory is cherished by; his loving and devoted wife, Anita, his children, Allen Nicholas, Aaron Nathaniel, Alysce Kia, and Atine Danielle, one sister Denise Holmes (Joseph), Sister-in law Tia Platts (Andre); niece; Brianna Holmes, nephews; Julian Christian, Joseph Holmes, Christopher Christian, Dezuan Holmes, and Andre Platts, mother-in-law Dorothy Christian, father-in-law Gamey Christian, an adopted mother; Delois Nedd, A special aunt and uncle, Thelma and Leslie Benson, other aunts and uncles; Doris Dickerson (Norman), Betty Benson, Phyllis McNeil, Priscilla Johnson, Patsy Salter, Helena Perkins (Frank), Pauline Subei, Lou Caldwell, Elmer Jones, Suestel Oliver; Rachael Hayes (Richard), Martha Jean Bestei, George Christian, Johannas Christian and Arthur Christian, and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name.
Sadly submitted,
The Family
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