George W Kershaw

George was born the only child to Donald and Hazel (Webber) Kershaw on July 23, 1938. He spent his early years in New England, mostly at 290 Nelson Street in Providence, Rhode Island. As a kid he loved the Lone Ranger and remembered walking two houses down and calling out for his childhood friend, “Hey, can Freddy come out and play” as we would come to know him - Father Fred. In those days, dad played street hockey (lost his two front teeth to an errant puck), had a cat named Fluffy and generally was a good kid in a mostly Italian neighborhood. Later he would be asked to be a Front Man for one of the infamous organizations, (that he was able to decline!) He played with toy soldiers, trains, baseball cards and stamps. As a teenager he found his compatriots in a crew called the Checkers! At some point he changed high schools from Classical to Hope (no need for details there;) and graduated in 1956. He chose to serve his country in the US Coast Guard, active duty for six months, then 6 years reserves as a Port Securityman 3rd class. He was the first and only member of his family to attend college. He scrimped, saved and worked his way through Bryant College in only three years, by assembling and delivering the Providence Journal newspaper early mornings as his father was a typesetter for the paper.

At the stroke of midnight New Year’s Eve 1959, he kissed the most beautiful girl at a party they were mutually attending, nearly causing a fight, as neither’s date was very pleased with that turn of events!!! His “checkered friends” having to pull him away and make a break for the door. Then he started dating that beauty, Kev, (Ann Kevin LaSalle) and turned into quite the gentleman, carrying her across puddles and making sure she always had a pack of cigarettes when they went out. He was received in her home on Sunday evenings for a special dinner of Ham, yams and green beans, that he dutifully ate and even complemented!!! It was difficult for them dating as he was Baptist and she was Catholic at a time in a small community where that mattered. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, George took a job with Fram Automotive and was sent to Detroit, Michigan as a salesman. He was a natural with a sincere smile and real interest in people, his go to was “If you don’t ask, you don’t get” and “Don’t say no for the other guy.” Kevin went to Los Angeles to be with family there the summer of 1960, but he didn’t want to be separated, so dad sent for her to join him, properly chaperoned of course, and they were married on August 6th, above a drugstore by a justice of the peace, with his mother waiting in the car downstairs; two soda jerks acted as their witnesses. They could only afford one night in a hotel, and chose to send Hazel!!! Kevin cooked her first meal of sausage, beans and biscuits for him and that became their famous anniversary meal. If dad had not been in the CG reserves and learned how to cook, clean and do laundry, mom said she didn’t know how they would have survived those first months together! They had a dog named Mac, and made a cross country trip to California on a Texaco Gas credit card that had advertised you could!

In 1962 along came daughter Jennifer and a transfer to Dayton, Ohio where they were able to purchase the ugliest house on the block (it was pink with a blue roof!). George Matthew was born in 1964, and baby Sarah in 1966. Then came a move to Worthington, Ohio where the Kershaw’s began their fandom of Ohio State football, as Dads’ college did not have teams. He joined the JayCee’s and was later voted Man of the Year. He and mom were also members in the young republicans. They made many good friends along the way and raised three fine children. Dad was in charge of Friday night pizza’s, bringing home the Charlie Brown tree on Christmas Eve’s to be decorated as the last tree from the fundraiser lot that didn’t sell, and collecting “daddy tax” on all Halloween candy. As a family there were many long road trips to see family (later, attending regular reunions) on the East Coast and the West Coast, stopping at every historical marker along whichever way the car was going! Because dad felt so lonely as a child, it was very important to him that he had more than one, but it really baffled and annoyed him when all bickered and bothered each other! Of course mom just had us sit on our hands, no talking!

The big promotion (dad was made Regional Sales Manager for the 14 western states) and move to California came in 1973. They bought a brand new house in Orange County and lived there for 50 years. Opening it up to many family members (and those who became family) who came to stay and live with them, and making neighbors feel like family. They bought the biggest lot they could afford, not realizing that in CA weeds grew 365 days a year! The ‘penny a root’ the children were paid to pullout was quite costly at times! Dad planted orange trees and the line of cypress down the sidewalk. He was very happy to sit at the breakfast table, doing his crossword puzzle in pen and eating his Cheerios while looking out into the big backyard.

The children eventually grew up and married well (Jenny and Mark Astrella in CO; Matt and Carol Kershaw in FL; Sarah and Dan Patnode in OR) A change of employment to NGK took place, as well as living a couple years in what was referred to as the ‘little house’ in Lake Forrest. A major stroke at only 57, changed things for George and Kevin. But he kept working and making the best of it. His tenacity was amazing. He lost the use of his left hand and walking was difficult. Over the next 30ish years he suffered five strokes, several bouts in the hospital, multiple falls, and devastating illnesses, but did not give up or give in! He continued to be an avid reader (particularly WW2), Jigsaw puzzler and a card shark! He watched his family grow, became the proudest Grandfather to Joshua (& wife Lizzy) and Megan Astrella. He amazed himself that he was alive to be a part of three great-grandchildren’s lives - Wylde age 6, Shenandoah age 3 living with their parents stationed in Naples, Italy and Easton age 2 1/2, living with his mom in Boise, Idaho where Great-Grandpa spent this past Christmas making memories.

George (& Kevin) belonged to many organizations throughout the years, Beta Iota Beta Fraternity, Coast Guard Reserves, Republican Party, Lions Club, Canyon Comanche Boosters, TC Motoring Guild, Orange County Bonsai Club, Elks, and among them, Vintage MG of Southern California stands out, they joined in 1983. George brought his love of the old cars, meeting people, traveling and toy models all together and was in his element! He served on boards, was president, he helped plan and organize events, was a part of the GOF (gathering of the faithful) steering committee and an all around genuine car enthusiast. They owned four different MG’s over the years - TC, TF, a modern and the TD (passing it on to the next generation:) So, so many close friends, so much time, so much a part of their lives that the grandkids were brought up participating in parades, events & many GOF’s!

He watched his beloved wife go through Parkinson’s/Lewy Body dementia and pass before him, only last May. He never, ever expected that. And that is what finally took him, a broken heart, the death certificate says otherwise (listing complications), but those who knew him, know that life without Kevin was not the same for him. Though he was lovingly cared for by special souls and family he took his last breath on March 4th. They are together now and that was his final wish ♥️

George lived his life pretty much out loud, Daddy taxes and green M&Ms. Tickle fights and pizza nights. Patriotism, history stops and station wagons (with faux wood sides, an important style choice). He liked country music and Christmas carols. Finding places we called Daddy Dives, or hole in the wall diners for good food at a good price. George was a toy & collectables trendsetter, todays’ Jedi Knights action figures tremble at the sight of his legions of lead soldiers and fleets of model cars! But mostly the toys and organizations were a way to collect friends. He loved and added the entire LaSalle family, MG clubs, Reyn Spooner shirts, more stamps & coins and just kept collecting everything he could. And he collected some damn fine people along the way… Who will remember his generosity, his being a truly good and gentleman, his sense of humor, his quick smile, his love of wife and love of God’s good life.