We are gathered here this morning to honor the memory of William Charles Jenuwine … Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Uncle, Friend … and my Dad.
Theologian Dr. Scott Hahn has stated that God is not “like” a father, but rather God is “Father” in His very being and ontology. Which is why we call God “Our Father.”
Those of us who share that title of Father — whether by generation or by spirit — are called to model our lives on “Our Father” (who art) in heaven.
And my Dad was a great one.
Mom wrote something down for me, and I copied this word-for-word from what she wrote on that piece of paper — “He raised five gorgeous, handsome, brilliant, successful children.” End quote.
Lots of memories.
Whether it was riding up to and around Harson’s Island on bicycles, taking the boat up and down the St. Clair River, driving around in the Corvette with the top down, going to Barnes and Noble, breakfasts at McDonald’s, phone calls, birthdays, holidays. Those and many other memories live on in all of us.
Dad was born in 1933. A year like any other. And he was born on a Saturday, like today. To some, 1933 might seem like ancient history. For others, it’s just a little while ago.
Herbert Hoover was in his last months as president, soon to be succeeded by FDR. The 20th Amendment would later that year change Inauguration Day from March to January. Also in December, the 21st Amendment would end Prohibition.
That was the year that construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The Lone Ranger debuted on the radio — WXYZ in Detroit. And it was broadcast from 1933 up to 1956. The year he and Mom got married. It would have been 69 years next month.
The Singing Telegram was introduced in New York. And the board game Monopoly was created that year.
Mount Rushmore was Dedicated in South Dakota.
Walt Disney’s first Silly Symphony cartoon ‘The Three Little Pigs’ was released in theaters. And the first Drive-In Movie theater opened.
The first Major League ‘All Star’ Game was played that year.
And while we continue to live our lives; and as our own experiences become history; and as time rolls on and on … Let us remember that the ties of love and affection that bind us together do not dissolve with death. Rather, they continue on into eternity.
Dad was a great provider, had a great sense of humor, was good at most everything, and instilled in each of us a love of reading, a desire to know and to learn, a sense of hard work and responsibility, and many other things.
May he hear the voice of Jesus Christ, his loving and merciful Savior, say to him: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share your Master’s joy.”
I love you, Dad.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let Perpetual Light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
Hay his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
