Papa Bear

Happy Birthday, Papa Hump.  We know you're telling all your good stories Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  We look forward to hearing all your new material someday. Here's to celebrating you!  We sure do miss you.

Daniel Humphrey, Sr. 1946-2011

If Dan Humphrey said it, it must be true. Well, somewhat true. Ok, not true at all. The life story of Dan Humphrey is much like the stories he loved to share each and every day. They were stories filled with tales of adventure, triumphant love, tough lessons learned the wrong way, hopeful endings and embellishments unimaginable.

Dan was born on January 24, 1946 in Elyria to Frank A. and Patricia Humphrey, the second born of six children. He went home to the Lord on Monday, January 17, 2011. He was 64. Wild at heart, he knew only the ways of a boy. His childhood was filled with family, faith and friendship. He attended St. Mary School and Elyria Catholic High School, graduating in 1965, more at the request of the beloved Sisters of Notre Dame, than by his own merits. He played football and basketball, was always the class clown and loved his sisters and mom. While he and his brothers survived many perils, including sinking boats in the Vermilion Lagoons, falling from roofs and even a battle against an American Indian family that lived down by the Black River, Dan would attribute much of life’s survival to those life lessons he learned through his dearest friend, Timmy Orvis.

Following high school, Dan joined the U.S. Army, serving as a Light Weapons Infantryman. While preparing to deploy to Vietnam, Dan suffered a neck injury from a parachuting injury and was subsequently stationed in Germany for the remainder of his service.

Even greater things began in Dan’s life when he returned to Elyria and joined his father and uncle at Humphrey & Cavagna Insurance Company. For more than 35 years, he insured countless homeowners, businesses and medical practices. Most important to him in all of his work were the relationships he built, not only with those that he insured, but with his partners, professional staff and morning coffee gang. A lifetime of friendships was built through Dan’s many associations, including PICO, ProAssurance and Westfield Agencies. He also enjoyed the membership perks of the Elyria Elks Club, United Polish Club and various veteran and social clubs, including the Elyria Country Club and the Catawba Island Club.

In 1968, the baritone voice of the Hump crooned outside of the MB Johnson School of Nursing, wooing the heart of his bride-to-be, Donna L. Vene. Their courtship and 40 years of marriage was a match made in heaven. Of those 40 years, his children recall their dad’s incessant request to Donna that she would marry him all over again. An answer that was always a humorous and predictable “NO”! Together they raised a family of five children and were able to celebrate their marriages and having children of their own - without a doubt their biggest and proudest achievement as a couple.

Among Dan’s other achievements were his home inventions, including the famed Mister Mister, the Back-Jacket and the all-meat hot dog with built in ketchup and mustard. He enjoyed the international scene as he made his own sausage and sauce with his Calabrian friend, homemade polish sauerkraut and even appeared in a made for TV cooking show, long before it was en vogue. Most historically, he was named Honorary United States Ambassador to Paraguay in 1986.

To remember Dan, celebrate and carry his humor, faith and stories are his “Contessa” of 40 years, Donna L. Humphrey; “fine sons” and their wives, Matt and Karlene of Vermilion, Daniel, Jr. and Katie of Elyria and David and Sarah of Spring Hill, Tennessee; daughters-of-his-heart, Coleen Humphrey and fiancée Stephen Bazzichi of Parma and Kristen and husband Brett Trimble of Channel Islands, California; eight grandchildren, Madison, Evan, Isabella, Ryan, Tess, Jack, Grant and Ella; brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Wilda Humphrey of Elyria, Patrick and Donna M. Humphrey of Elyria, Richard and Diane Humphrey of Milford; sisters and brothers-in-law, Julie and Bill McGlynn of Lake Mary, Florida and Kathleen and Jim Garth of Delran, New Jersey; dear aunt, Catherine Cavagna of Elyria; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, a dog Monroe and a little white car.

Friends may call on both Thursday, January 20, 2011 and Friday, January 21, 2011, from 4 to 9 P.M. in the Weigand Room at St. Mary Catholic Church, 320 Middle Avenue, Elyria. Closing prayers will be said on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 9:45 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. Reverend Charles T. Diedrick, Pastor, and Deacon Frank A. Humphrey and Deacon Patrick Humphrey will concelebrate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Elyria, with military honors presented by members of the Elyria VFW Post 1079.

Those that knew Dan are aware of the years of medical care, miracles and the fight he gave with a failing heart. His desire in remembering him would be three-fold. Support the American Heart Association and all of its effort to cure heart disease, love your family, friends and God with all of your heart, and never tell a story that doesn’t contain at least one exaggerated, unbelievable truth .

Arrangements entrusted to Reichlin-Roberts Funeral Home, 327 Cleveland St., Elyria. Online condolences may be made at www.reichlinroberts.com

(written by Matthew Humphrey)

(corresponding song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoole)