Henry Philip Bentel Jr.

Henry Philip Bentel, Jr. “Pawpaw” has gone home to be with his Savior, Lord Jesus Christ on the evening of April 23, 2020 at the age of 84. Beloved son of the late Bernardine Hartmann Bentel and Henry Philip Bentel, Sr. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley Blume Bentel, and they are now reunited in Heaven. He also was preceded in death by his sons, Henry P. Bentel III, Lawrence C. Bentel, Ronald J. Bentel, and Stephen M. Bentel. He is survived by his two children William D. Bentel, and Lori Ann Bentel. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua, Karen, Ronald, Henry, Brandy (Rocky), Dianne, Stephen, Robert, Anthony (Destinee), Ashley (deceased), Henry IV, Amber (James), Chris, Kristen, Austin, Holly, Katherine, Destiny and William; his great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Caden, Gage, Faith, Jadin, Trey, Chance, Annabel, Lily, Ronald III, Karolina, Meredith, Anthony, Jr., Bradin, Ivy, and Parker, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Henry was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and he attended Alcee Fortier High School. At an early age, he began throwing a paper route in New Orleans, and kept doing so until after he had his children. He loved to sing and had a magical voice that would light up the room. As a young boy, he performed in churches, bar rooms, festivals, and on steamboats. While he was singing with his band at a high school dance at St. Agnes, he met the love of his life to whom he was a devoted husband to for 57 years. After graduating high school, he joined the New Orleans Fire Department, where he proudly served the City of New Orleans as an Operator for over 25 years saving thousands of lives and putting his life on the line without hesitation. He received a Prestigious Honor by the Mayor of New Orleans, Victor Schiro, for his meritorious service during Hurricane Betsy in 1965. His love for Engine House No. 38 is beyond words. He cherished all the memories and bonds of friendship he made during his service to the NOFD. Henry loved sharing his firefighter stories with his grandchildren or anyone he encountered. He had a heart of gold, and he would help anyone who needed a hand. He later moved to Kenner, Louisiana with his wife and 6 children where he has resided for the past 53 years. After his retirement from the NOFD, Henry had started a family painting and handyman business with his children, and then raised 4 of his grandchildren. Henry became a stay-at-home-Pawpaw and chauffeured his wife Shirley and family everywhere. To help provide additional support for his family, he took a job with Rochchester Midland for a few years. For more than 50 years, he served as an Election Commissioner-In-Charge alongside his wife in the City of New Orleans and continued when they moved to Kenner for Precinct K25 until her passing in 2012. Henry then carried on working the elections with his granddaughter until he retired at the age of 82. In more recent years, he loved to sit on his front porch and watch the busy traffic on Roosevelt Blvd and wait for someone he knew to pass by his house. He is one of Roosevelt Blvd.’s oldest “Neighborhood Watchmen”, and all who knew him will deeply miss driving past his house and hearing him yell and waive to you as you drove past his house and honked your horn at him. Henry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed, and forever remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Due to the current attendance restrictions pertaining to the Coronavirus, a private memorial service will take place on May 14, 2020 at 10:30am, followed by interment in the Carrollton Cemetery No. 1. There will, however, be a live stream on Facebook Live, which may be accessed by visiting Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home’s Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the New Orleans Fire Department or Local Union 632, in honor of Henry P. Bentel, Jr.