Thursday, August 19, 2021
My earliest memory of “Pop” Kenny, was as an 18 year old kid. I was stopping by to pick up my girlfriend Sharon, his oldest daughter. While waiting in my car, I watched a relatively built man, who was completely enraged, screaming and cursing at a car parked in front of his garage, like a maniac. My initial thought was holy ———, i need to get out of here, this guy is gonna “kick my ass”, for dating his daughter. Before I could even react he was on his way down the driveway to greet me in the coolest, calmest demeanor, not but two seconds earlier blowing a gasket on his poor car. That was “Pop” Kenny.
Within just a few months both Kenny and Sue welcomed me into their home, and soon as part of their extended family.
Pop and I clicked very quickly, we both liked cars, and enjoyed working on them. It seemed within no time Pop, little Kenny and I, were hanging out, working on stuff together all the time. This was something as a kid I never experienced, with my own father or brother, and I loved every minute of it.
Shortly after Sharon and I married, and baby “Mikie” came into all of our lives. The first, of Pops three amazing grandsons. Again, I saw another side of Pop, as the lovable grandfather. He unconditionally loved his three boys Mikie, Anthony and Enzo.
This last year with Pop has been some of the hardest days of my life. Not only because I understood Pops fate, and selfishly didn’t want to loose him, but because I watched his family suffer greatly, as they couldn’t heal him of his suffering. Feeling completely helpless, with no way to help the ones you love most, may be the hardest thing we face in this life. I thank god for giving me my children, and Pop, and for all the good times we enjoyed together. I’m also thankful he was with us long enough to meet and enjoy his first great-granddaughter Isabella Harned. She brought joy to his soul when it seemed he couldn’t find any.
As I say goodbye in body, I pray that his soul will forever be in peace in heaven.
Thank you all for your support. Mike Harned
