Winfield Kernechel

Quite the name, huh? That’s my dad! Of course, his last name is George. The middle name Kernechel, was his mom’s maiden name. His nickname was Wimp and if anyone asked him his name he would say Bill George. I’m thinking about him this Fathers Day morning as  I sit here with a swollen face and an abscessed tooth!

Speaking of teeth, my dad had dentures as I long as I’ve known him. But I don’t recall ever seeing him without them.  I do remember him always cutting the kernels off a corn cob instead of diving in head first like we all did.

My dad was born in 1910. He was an only child, but did have a sister who, I think, died at childbirth. He had four children right before WWII, so he did not serve in that war. Instead, he was an air raid warden for Slatington. Yeah, I can’t figure out either why the Nazis would bomb the little bucolic borough of Slatington.  He had baby boomer me after the war, in 1952. He was an older father, 42 when I was born. I topped that one, dad!! 50 here!

He died in 1983 from emphysema, a three pack a day smoker!

I was a daddy’s boy, to use the vernacular of the day. I looked up to him and loved spending time with him. He introduced me to fishing and hunting and pool. He was a pool hustler in the bars and clubs around Slatington.  He was a Yankees fan and we went once or twice to Yankee Stadium. He was always my biggest supporter in whatever I wanted to do.  My mom died when I was fifteen and for a little while he tried his best to be dad and mom to me.  That, in spite of the fact that the only thing he could cook was eggs. We both eventually moved in with my brother Jim. My dad and I shared a room in the attic.

My dad had his flaws. He was a door to door salesman, working strictly on commission. We did not have a lot of money. I can remember times when there was not enough money to buy oil for the house and we would freeze in the dead of winter.  He was impulsive. He once cashed in his entire retirement savings to pay for a trip to see his oldest son in California.  I think that trip was the highlight of his life.

My dad taught me compassion and empathy. He taught me to always stick up  for the little guy. He’s the reason I’m a Democrat!  He didn’t like people who were arrogant or haughty. He must be rolling over in his grave with Trump as president. He could be a little non-conformist at times. I can remember him telling an inappropriate joke at the first dinner meeting with my soon to be in-laws.  Dad!

So that’s my dad on this Fathers Day. Flaws and all, I love him dearly and I think of him often. There are so many good remembrances I left out of this post. But, those are for me to savor, today and every day.  One thing I am glad my dad didn’t give me…his name! Just think, I could be Winfield Kernechel George, Jr.!!!