Clarence H. “Larry” Bodine Jr. of New Hope passed away on Dec. 17 at Grand View Hospital. He was the son of the late Clarence H. Bodine, Sr., and the late Katura (Braunworth) Bodine. Arrangements are at the Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home in Souderton.
His friend Joel Roberts of West Mechanic Street wrote a few words about Larry:
“Another New Hope personality, businessman, curmudgeon, and a man with incredible senses of insight, humor and friendliness passed away last Tuesday. Clarence (a name he hated) “Larry” Bodine owned a small oriental antique shop on West Ferry Street and lived above it for well over 40 years. I met him when he used to pass by my shop and sit and ask me, “What’s new in town?” That was about 6 years ago right after his best friend who used to own the Pink Antiques business moved to Florida and died. Larry was one of the last of the antique dealers on Ferry Street on the name of Antiques Row. He could tell those stories about New Hope that only the old gay men in town could tell and he and I and anyone else that would drop by the front of my store that day would howl with laughter. Larry was a fabulous story teller. He was also an avid fan of the fireworks and the new and old playhouse and almost everything that was going on in town would fascinate him. He grew up in Flemington, NJ and worked for years as the front man for all the serious ice shows that traveled the world during the 50s and 60s, which was how he came to collect and find interest in Asian antiques. He was a very funny man, a tribute in style and outlook to old New Hope and was proud before proud became a catchphrase.
“He used to bring me crossword puzzles, and I will miss him.”
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