Obituary of Harry Callie

Harry "The Candyman" Callie Harry Delano Callie, founder of Callie's Candy Kitchen, passed away October 24, 2013 at home, surrounded by his wife of over 61 years, Carol, and his loving family. Harry was born June 11, 1933, in Bangor, PA to Harry and Mamie (Romano) Callie and grew up on the family farm in East Bangor. He graduated from Bangor High School in 1951. February, 1952, he married Carol (Pysher) at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Roseto, PA. At the age of 19, he purchased a candy store/luncheonette in Bangor, which was later named Callie's Candy Kitchen. In 1969, he completed Retail Confectioners International Gus Pulakos Candy School at Gannon College in Erie, PA. In 1972 Harry and Carol opened Callie's Candy Kitchen in Mountainhome, PA. In 1985, they opened Callie's Pretzel Factory three miles away. Harry was honored with the Master Confectioner award from the Retail Confectioner International (RCI) an organization in which he was an active member since 1972. In addition to serving as a member of the board of RCI, the organization became a source of lifelong friendships. In 2011, Harry received the distinguished honor of being inducted into the National Candy Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the candy industry. Harry said he made candy for more than 60 years because he believed that "candy is happiness". Harry was also an active member of the community. The Mountainhome Rotary Club, honored him with the Paul Harris Award, given to members who meet high standards in both their professional and personal lives. He was a past president of the club. He was president of both the Exchange Club and Chamber of Commerce in Bangor. He was a member of the Business Association of Barrett Township, PA, where in 1999 he was awarded Citizen of the Year. He was a board member of the Christian Awareness Ministries Ecumenical (CAME)Community Food Bank. He was an active member of Most Holy Trinity Parish, formerly St. Bernadette's Roman Catholic Church. He was also a frequent guest at local schools and hosted school trips, seniors, and civic groups that came to his shop where he was famous for his one of a kind candy demonstrations. In addition to his wife Carol, Harry is survived by his daughters Patricia Zimdahl, Lynn Callie, Gretchen Reisenwitz, and his son-in-law Mark Reisenwitz, who was like a son to him. These children will continue the business. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Gregory Zimdahl, a teacher in Queens, NY, Bryan Zimdahl , a PhD in cancer research, and Heidi Zimdahl, studying for a Master's Degree in Music Education at Columbia University. He is also survived by three "adopted" daughters, Lisa Hill, Katie Bowman, and "Christmas" daughter Denise Hay. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Jean Callie, and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Samuel, and his son-in-law Jeffrey Zimdahl. During the months preceding his death, Harry benefited from the skilled care and abundant compassion of the staff of Griswold Home Care who became like family to us. Arrangements by Bolock Funeral Home. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial which will be private, at the convenience of the family. In lieu flowers, the family requests that you honor Harry's memory by acts of kindness and generosity to others in need.