Joe Kernan was a personal hero of mine.
A lot of the wonderful things downtown South Bend today stand upon the shoulders of his leadership as our former mayor. We would not have a wonderful minor league baseball team and state-of-the-art baseball stadium if not for him. He was a good man and he never forgot who he worked for. I met him on numerous occasions and he always had time if you wanted to bend his ear.
The last time I saw Joe, he was with a friend downtown at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe. Naturally, I wanted to shake the hand of a Vietnam War Navy war veteran (a POW, caged at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton," with former Sen. John McCain, if you didn't know).
As he and his friend walked away, I overheard his friend say, "He served in the Navy too (referring to me)," and Joe said, "yes, I know (me wearing my Navy hat, usually was a good dead giveaway)."
I thought that that was an odd conversation which became clear to me why a few weeks ago when I learned Joe was in the last stages of Alzheimer's.
Joe was a loving family man. His dedication to his wife and family was exactly what you would have expected of a man of his character.
His love for our city is apparent when you see the many attractions that were the result of his efforts (the baseball stadium, the College Football Hall of Fame, which unfortunately was not the success he (or we) had hoped for).
When the Silver Hawks threatened to pull out of South Bend, Kernan and some his friends worked to save the team. Today, the renamed South Bend Cubs remains one of the most popular and visble landmarks, serving as an anchor to downtown's rebirth.
Kernan was also one of our former state Lt. Governors and he became Governor after the unexpected passing of Frank O'Bannon.
He was an immense figure untainted by scandal but one of public service, humility, integrity and compassion.
Joe passed away this morning. He is survived by his wife Maggie and his seven siblings.
I am saddened by this loss. Our loss.
