May 25 2007
A Good Man
Out on the street in front of my building, I just met a man named Jerry Bohintz (I may have the spelling wrong).
I went to get a coffee next door at Arabica, then I stopped to take a close look at the copper cladding on the front of the empty space below my office. As I was inwardly shaking my head at the amount of repair it needs, a man came out of Arabica and noticed me standing there. He called out “go ahead and take it!” to me. I replied that I own it and that I was mentally adding up how much more work Steve and I have to do on the building.
We chatted for a few moments, then he asked me what I do. So I told him about some of the things we do, graphic design, websites, etc.
“Websites?” he asked.
“Sure, that’s most of what I do these days.”
“I’m planning on putting a website together in the next three or four months. Do you have a card?”
So I ran upstairs to grab a couple. When I handed it to him he took a look and asked “Kuhar? Do you know Ron Kuhar?” This caught me by surprise, because I’m usually asked if I know the Kuhar’s Restaurant people. Sure, they gave me extra potatoes because I share their surname, but that’s where our relationship ends.
“Yeah - Ron Kuhar is my dad. I’m just surprised you didn’t ask about the restaurant.”
He replied, “I knew Ron when he was at the City of Euclid, then he ended up at Euclid Hospital.”
“Yep, that’s him. How’d you know him?”
“I owned a business in Euclid,” he said.
“Really? What was it?”
“Northeast Appliance.”
“No kidding? My wife and I bought plenty of stuff from you.”
“Well thanks.” He paused, then added sadly, “He died too young.”
“Way too young. 52. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone for over 15 years.”
“Yes it is. But if you’re a chip off the old block, I’d enjoy doing business with you.”
“Well thanks. You brought a tear to my eye.”
“He was a good man. I’ll be calling you.”
Thanks, Dad. You were a good man. One of the best.
That’s really cool Dave. Your dad must’ve been smiling.
Dammit. You made me cry.
That is a cool story. I have to say it is nice for you to run into people that knew him, living away from Cleveland I never have that chance. And, yes you (and Jim) are chips of the ol’ block….both good men.
Reminds me of a joke:
Grandson: “Grandma, if you give me a quarter I’ll be good.”
Grandma: “Why don’t you be like your father and be good for nothing.”
Had to joke or I might have cried too.
Made me cry too.
It’s cool that you run into people that Dad knew.
God bless him. I still miss him so much.