A constant stream of automobiles flowed into the parking lot at St. George’s Antiochian Orthodox Church on Saunders Settlement Road, and then they slowly ebbed out. Inside the church, hundreds of familiar faces inched their way through the sanctuary, paying their respects to the bereaved family, viewing the body and then chatting with others that they may not have seen in awhile. You would have thought that a politician, a priest, a war hero or, at the very least, some celebrity laid in state in that rotunda-shaped building. What could have drawn so many people to the edge of town to say good-bye?
It was because Kevin Mokhiber died, and he was just a simple hardware counter clerk who had a passion for old cars and for good people. I extend my condolences to his family, friends and coworkers.
I knew Kevin through of his employment at DeFranco’s True Value Hardware Store on Hyde Park and Pine, and, from him, I had purchased many items for home repairs and such. Those items included nuts and bolts, tape measures, fuel cans for the lawn mowers, paints, and other items.
I also knew that he recently endured some medical issues; and when I saw him out a few weeks ago, he was confidently dismissive about the seriousness of his situation. As he shook my hand, I was confident that he would overcome his maladies, and that we would be friends for many years to come.
I laughed when I read the comments that Kathleen Culbreth’s posted in the memorial section of the online obituary about Kevin, and how her children were devastated to find that he was not their ‘real’ uncle. I understand that — I have scores of children that call me uncle and, like Kevin did, I love them as if they were my ‘real’ nieces and nephews.
Real is not necessarily about the bloodlines for which we may have had no input, nor is it necessarily in the families in which God have placed us. Real is about the relationships that we establish with each other out of that love that God has placed in our hearts. And, of course, like most guys, Kevin and I never expressed the ‘reality’ of the concern that we had for each other. But, I believe that both of us understood it in the passing moments of our conversations — be they at the hardware store; or encountering a wave at each other as we passed in opposite directions while driving on the street; or those few moments that we chatted while enjoying a cup of coffee. They were enough for us to know that we recognized each other as sincere and real human beings.
In a sense, I suppose that Kevin has overcome his maladies through the confidence of Christ, our Lord and Savior. And, in years to come, like you, dear reader, and so many others that have passed before us, and those that will pass in the years to come, having confidently overcoming our own trouble-freeing maladies, we will once again shake hands with Kevin, and at that time renew an eternal friendship. You see, as I purchased items for “home re-pair from” Kevin’s business, Christ was about the business of “home pre-pare for him.”
I know, going forward, that it will be difficult for me to pass a classic car show without thinking of Kevin; he was an enthusiast. Or to drive pass St. Joseph’s Cemetery without glancing over and giving him a thought where he rests. Or going into DeFranco’s Hardware Store; and, even though he is no longer there, not hearing — somewhere in the creases of my mind — the echoes of his nutty words bolting out a joking rebuke or two; the two of us measuring out each other with our words of humor and respect, and each refueling our individual zests for life.
As I think back, I realize that there was one item in that store that I never purchased from Kevin. Never once have I bought a light bulb there. I suppose that I didn’t need to do so. As well-lit as Christopher Finitz keeps his hardware store, and with as much sunlight that pours through those pristine windows, regardless of the bright colored paint in which I may have covered my occasional gloominess, the silver light of Kevin’s smile filled my soul with the golden glow of his personality whenever I walked up to the counter where he stood.
Though Kevin’s candle may have silently flickered out, in no way did it diminish his resonant light.
Ken Hamilton is a Niagara Falls resident. Contact him at kenhamilton930@aol.com.
Columns
Related Photos
HAMILTON: Kevin Mokhiber — the hardware clerk that softened thousands of hearts
- Columns
-
-
HAMILTON: The SPCA and the pineapple upside-down pie
It is said that, as free Americans, we often get the things for which we ask; we also often get exactly what we deserve. Sometimes it works out to our good, and sometimes it doesn’t.
-
GLYNN: Slim chance now for a real thick ice bridge
If you’re not convinced about the unpredictability of Western New York weather, consider that this area was experiencing temperatures in the mid-40s on the 100th anniversary of the ice bridge tragedy in the gorge.
-
BRADBERRY: Is Black History Month Still Relevant?
I am uncomfortably recovering and slowly recuperating from a relatively minor, but medically necessary procedure which has kept me out of circulation, out of touch and essentially on my back for a lot longer than I have personally believed was justifiable; however, in this case my opinion matters not; the doctor’s diagnosis and promising prognosis trumped mine, so here I lay almost completely befuddled, nearly unable to pen a clear sentence.
-
CONFER: Time to end the NFL’s blackout rule
Long ago, in a much simpler time, ticket sales accounted for the majority of revenues for professional football teams.
-
CITY BEAT: Stuck on traffic
Sometimes I feel like the traffic signal reporter in Niagara Falls.
Traffic signals have been making a lot of news around here lately. There’s the whole flap about what to do to improve public safety near the Como Restaurant in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue. -
HIGGS: Discussing crime and punishment in the Falls
Have to take a detour off Pine Avenue in 1956 this week to report on an event held by the Niagara Falls Block Club Council for its member clubs and other interested citizens.
-
GLYNN: Hotel Niagara plan exciting for the Falls
It all sounds like a re-run of a TV program you’ve seen a dozen times. This time, however, there is every reason to believe that the landmark Hotel Niagara on Rainbow Boulevard will be restored to the splendid atmosphere that guests enjoyed for decades.
-
HAMILTON: BOE and kids, or the SPCA dogs?
There is example after example of otherwise qualified Niagara Falls’ board of education members and staffers lending their time and efforts to organizations outside of the school district’s core business.
-
GLYNN: Trust in SPCA shelter must be restored
Stories about the operations at the Niagara SPCA shelter shape the image of sickening and disgusting treatment of animals.
-
BRADBERRY: Old medicine and new challenges
Having suffered and recovered from my fair share of illnesses and injuries over the years, I have come to believe that sometimes the treatment and the cure of my condition can seem to be far worse than whatever I may think is ailing me at the moment.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
