The following letter was written for longtime Oak Park resident Jack Kernan, who died in December at the age of 100. It was read to Jack before he passed:
Jack, I wanted to let you know how much you have meant to me over the years. Words don’t come easy today so this might be a little disjointed.
From the first time I met you, you have been a model of living your faith. I admired how you did not compromise your faith even when it would have been easier just to close your eyes and join the crowd. Your work for peace and justice helped me to open my eyes to the needs in the world around me and stand up for the poor and dispossessed even when it was unpopular, inconvenient, or difficult.
As a father-in-law, you have been wonderful. I learned so much from you about raising good children and being a good mate to my wife. You were a wonderful father and grandfather and our children have had a lifelong example of a caring and generous father and grandfather.
Another area where I enjoyed your presence was baseball. I loved watching games with you and learning so much about players and teams over the years. You were a student of the game and I enjoyed the times we spent watching the White Sox on TV. Every game was an education for me and I already miss those times.
I believe that you are one of the most unselfish persons I have ever met. So often you went out of your way and set aside your needs to help someone else. That can be seen in your children who modeled and continue to model this selflessness.
You are a man of great integrity and honesty. You refused to cheat on little things that others would because they would never be caught. You taught me that it didn’t matter if “they” never found out, you were going to do the right thing because you knew you would remember your action. Being honest with oneself was a tenet in your life and I honor you for it.
You taught me so much about marriage by how you treated and cared for Patsy and then Kate. You guys had a wonderful marriage and life, and I got to share that with you many, many times.
Bottom line: I am a better man having met you.
I wish I could be with you and Kathy right now, so I am there in spirit. Thank you for sharing your life, your family and your faith with me. I will miss you greatly.
Blessings.
Milton Dudley is the son-in-law of the late Jack Kernan of Oak Park. A funeral Mass and celebration of Jack Kernan’s life will be celebrated at the chapel at Casa Scalabrini in Northlake this Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10:30 a.m.
