jen and tonic

May 13, 2008 

Growing up, I knew the man who lived in the other side of my maternal grandparents' duplex as Uncle Jack. By birth he was my grandfather's nephew, but they were only eight years apart, Jack being the youngest. I later came to find out that they considered each other brothers, because Jack's parents died when he was very young, and he was then raised by my grandfather's parents. He and his wife Ruth were kind, happy and genuine, and they usually had some kind of cookies or cake to share. They were a part of all the best memories of my childhood, and, in a sense, like another set of grandparents when I was young.

Just like their everyday homes, when my grandparents had the summer cabin on the river in West Virginia, Jack and Ruth had one right next door. So even with summers spent at "camp," they were always there, sharing laughter, stories, "grandparent" concerns...and cookies.

I remember Jack as always having a full head of thick, black hair, no matter how old he was. Unless it was cold he would be without a shirt, revealing a chest and back covered in that same thick, black hair...and there was always a pipe attached to his lips. He was strong and healthy. He was happy.

When Ruth died several years ago, Uncle Jack moved away to be near his children and grandchildren, and I never saw him again after that. Two weeks ago the extended family was called because it had suddenly been discovered that Jack had cancer in the very late stages, though for some reason it had never been detected before. Only six days later the cancer quickly spread throughout his entire body, and Jack passed away, just as suddenly as he had become ill.

Uncle Jack was a truly good man, and will be dearly loved and missed by his family.

On February 21, 2008, my pappy died...a wonderful, handsome, fun, amazing man I knew and loved so well as a child, but never got to know well enough...my father's daddy, my grandma's soulmate. His death brought on emotions and experiences that will forever be embedded in my heart and mind. Following is his obituary... 

CUMBERLAND - Harold "Butch" L. Hendershot Sr., 81, of Cumberland, passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at his residence.

Born March 4, 1926, in Amaranth (Buck Valley), Pa., Butch was the son of the late Melvin L. Hendershot and Ada P. (McCusker) Hendershot. He was also preceded in death by five brothers, Ernest (casualty - Battle of the Bulge, World War II), Leroy, Robert, James and Marvin Hendershot. Butch went to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, Feb. 21, passing at home surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Butch retired from the U.S. Navy in 1964 as a Petty Officer. His final duty station was at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Rhode Island, as a member of the Air Anti-Sub Squadron 34. While in the Navy, he was an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. One of his proudest career moments was being personally thanked by Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy, Chester W. Nimitz for the many successful flights Butch oversaw for the Admiral. Like many young men of his day, Butch left high school to serve his country during World War II. He completed his GED while in the Navy in 1962. His family used a large world map to track the many countries he visited during his years of service to our nation and cherished the many souvenirs he brought home from his travels overseas. He served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and the USS Essex. Butch was a crew member when the Essex participated in a blockade of Cuba during the 'Cuban Missile Crisis.' The family anxiously awaited his safe return home and he retired from the service soon thereafter.

For many years, Butch was the property manager at Gehauf's Motel (now the Braddock Motor Inn) and for the former Robison's Glenn Street Apartments. His family recalls that 'dad' or 'pappy' could fix anything, and for many, many years - he did, oftentimes using clever techniques that he discovered or thought of himself. Butch and Jeannette later fulfilled a shared dream by completing a course in restaurant management and became owners and operators of Lynn's Restaurant in Cumberland. For several years, they were also involved in the Allegany County Therapeutic Foster Care program.

Butch was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed fishing with all his family but especially with daughter Janet and son Michael - and especially in Nags Head, N.C. Butch loved to play poker and the lottery, and especially enjoyed traveling to Atlantic City or Las Vegas. He used to say when he finally hit it big, he'd buy the family that beach house in Nags Head or on the Chesapeake Bay! Butch loved to garden. His children and grandchildren marveled at his flower gardens that he spent many hours tending. Off and on over the years, Butch worked and played local bingo, mostly at Saint Mary's and Bishop Walsh. For some years, he was Scout Master at Troop 8, St. Mary's. He enjoyed playing baseball when he was a boy and he absolutely loved watching his children and grandchildren play any kind of athletic event. He always encouraged and supported his children's pursuit of higher education and other career goals. He taught his children to be resourceful, kind and accepting of others and was a good role model as he and Jeannette were married for 55 years.

He was a member of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church, a life-member of the Knights of Columbus 586, a member of the Cumberland Moose 271 and a member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette Louise (Beck) Hendershot, Cumberland; five daughters, Shirley Keiper, Cumberland, Robin A. Benzel and husband Jerry, Burke, Va., Dr. Janet L. Hendershot, Cumberland, (with whom he resided in his later years), Mary E. Crosten, Cumberland, Mary B. (Sunny) Marrale and husband Randy, Cumberland; one foster son, Johnny Fields, Monessen, Pa.; two sons, Harold L. "Butch" Hendershot Jr. and wife Jennifer, Cumberland, and Michael D. Hendershot and wife Barbara, Winchester, Va.; one sister, Violet Rosenberger and husband Harry, Frostburg; two brothers, Ralph Hendershot and wife Catalina, Smithsburg, and Floyd Hendershot and wife Dolores, Cumberland, and Short Gap, W.Va.; 16 grandchildren, Jennifer, Amy, Ben, Chris, Gregory, Jordan, Chloe, Andy, Leslie, Sidney, Reagan, Kaitlyn, Mattison, Ronald, Chuck and wife Ruth and Donald and wife Casie; five great- grandchildren, Brittany, Rach-el, Sarah, Dylan and Nicholas; and many, many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Anthony Bollino and Mrs. Joel Bollino and the staff of the Braddock Hospital (5 North) for the exceptional care they gave to dad. And the family wishes to commend the loving staff of the WMHS Hospice program for the professional and dignified manner in which they supported dad during his final days. They were a real inspiration to watch and to work with.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland, (scarpellifh.com) on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. Friends will also be received at the funeral home on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Monday at 1 p.m. with Father Bernard Finerty, O.F.M., Cap., as celebrant.

Interment will be in the Maryland State Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap, Flintstone.

Military honors will be accorded by Post 13 Veterans Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Benzel, Steve College, Ned Crosten and Randy Marrale.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Butch may send a donation to WMHS Hospice Services, Cumberland, or SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Cumberland.  (obituary written by my dad - Harold "Butch" L. Hendershot Jr.)

We all miss you, Pappy...