Michael James Kerwin

Like no man before him, and arguable none to come, “Papa Mike” could wear the heck out of a Hawaiian shirt. Although not a fashionista in the strictest sense of the word, he simply had a way of primping himself in brilliantly colored floral printed textiles that was absolutely uncanny. He was quite fond of cars, particularly his 1967 electric blue Corvette Coupe. He was also deliriously enchanted with his wife of nearly 42 years, Jeron. Close to the time of his wedding (August 31, 1973), his fiberglass and chrome treasure was damaged in a meager traffic accident. Newly married, cash poor, and in want, Papa Mike flipped the insurance check he received from his car into a dinette set Jeron had been eyeing for their home. That was Papa Mike – always giving. Born in Albuquerque, NM to Gary and Nancie Kerwin just over 65 years ago, Papa Mike was the firstborn of five siblings. Being the eldest, Papa Mike zealously accepted the role of prankster among the children, and went on to have a lustrous career of youthful mischievousness toward his three brothers (Tom, Brett, and Jeff) and sole sister (Debbie). Although inside the home he was prone to taunt, tease, and enthusiastically (but lovingly) torment his siblings, outside of the home he was their staunchest defender, and as such, achieved status as a mythical neighborhood pugilist. This sense of guardianship was evident in his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from the old brick and mortar St. Pius X High School (1968). Upon completion of his stateside training, Papa Mike was deployed to Vietnam where he served his country as a dutiful soldier. Returning home from war, Papa Mike accomplished many things that one does which on the surface seem ordinary – he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNM, worked as a solid employee for the local car dealership Rich Ford, became a father to an only son – Chris, etc… But it can be assured without any hint of doubt that Papa Mike was extraordinary. The roguish playfulness of his boyhood continued its progress into his mature life. His quick wit and playful jibes were always followed by a characteristic whimsical one-eyed wink. He made everybody laugh – from family to friends to complete strangers, but his favorite laughter was that from his two granddaughters – Lily and Zoey. His gracious nature was always on display as well. He would daily meet the local mail carrier out in front of his home to shake his hand and give him a can of soda. Who does that? Papa Mike. His affection for cards also continued and spilled over from his professional life and into his leisure. Papa Mike travelled the country to attend car races of every kind, and made life-long friends in doing so. He was known to stuff his closet with souvenirs from the races – diecast models, T-shirts, jackets, most of which he ended up giving away to the children of family and family friends. Apart from cars and racing, he loved football, sweets, cats, running, sunbathing, music, yard work, and BIC White-Out. He rarely called anyone by their real name, preferring to use his own invented nickname for others. Seabiscuit, Peaches, Rodin, Pizza Face, Wubbie, Otis, Han Solo, Blutarski, Timothy Monshoman, Twinkie Bean, Half Pint, you all know who are. All the joking aside, he was strong in his faith. Not a morning passed when he wasn’t reading his worn, heavily underlined, and dog-eared Bible, and on weekends he worked as a greeter at his church. He was the ultimate son, big brother, jester, protector, friends, husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by too many to list in the confines of this paper. He is simply survived by us all. Papa Mike’s memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Copper Pointe Church located at 10500 Copper Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM. Burial will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to Disabled American Veterans at DAV.org or Copper Pointe Church at 10500 Coper Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123.

Michael James Kerwin

June 11, 2015