By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
Humpolick grew up in Lake County. His father worked at Diamond Alkali in Fairport Harbor until a few years before it closed, when he got a job at Jones and Laughlin Steel in Cleveland.
Humpolick was the oldest of five boys.
Starting at age 8, Humpolick helped care for a severely handicapped brother, Charlie, when he got home from school. A severe ear infection and subsequent allergy to an antibiotic left Charlie in an infantile mental and physical state. This meant Humpolick had to feed, clean and change Charlie as one would an infant.
In October 1962, Humpolick’s mother delivered his brother, Ron.
“After that she was preoccupied with his care and I remained preoccupied with Charlie,” he said. “She joined the workforce a few years later, taking various jobs — waitress, secretary, cook — to make ends meet.”
During Humpolick’s high school years, his parents watched Charlie a little longer weekday afternoons so he could participate in sports. Humpolick played guard for his high school football team, or at the very least, he “kept the bench warm,” he said jokingly.
But from fifth-grade to his senior year in high school, it was always Humpolick’s responsibility to clean and change his brother, Charlie, as well as to give him his medicine.
“I helped rear Charlie so my parents could work and that sense of work ethic stuck with me,” he said. “That sense of compassion for people who are less fortunate, the underdog, also stuck with me.”
One of Humpolick’s fondest memories of his brother is that he developed funny voices to make Charlie laugh — cartoon characters and people from television, many of which he can still do today.
“Charlie would laugh like crazy,” he said, stopping for a moment to reflect on his thought. “I can still hear his laugh in the back of my mind.”
In October 1969, Charlie died at age 13.
It was Homecoming Week at Riverside High School and Humpolick’s senior year. He missed the homecoming football game because Charlie’s funeral was on the same day.
The next week, Humpolick put on his uniform and played against Fairport Harbor. With a few minutes left in the game he helped sustain a time-killing drive when Fairport got momentum on Riverside by blocking like he never did before, he said.
“We got some yards to keep the ball and wore down the clock and won,” he said, amazement still true in his voice. “My coach, Frank Gerard then made a point about it in his closing remarks after the game. I did that for Charlie.”
From that day forward, Charlie continued to inspire him.
Part time Medical Equipment Delivery/Service Technician nician Cleveland to Erie area. Customer service skills required, clean driving record a must. Send resume to PO Box...>MORE
MACHINERY & TOOLS SAFES- Large & small, Forklifts, extra forks, Pallet Jacks, air compressors, (1-20HP), complete torch sets, welding gass...>MORE
Hayward pump (1-1/2 hp) & D.E. Filter for swimming pool, misc. pool access. $300 obo. 576-1585...>MORE
Tools Top & Bottom box full of mechanics tools, impacts, air ratchets, grinder, sander, board file etc. If interested bring 4 ...>MORE
SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE Mixed Hardwoods. Cut & split approx 16” $225.00 cord (+) or Slab wood, cut $150.00 cord(+). Delivered within 15 miles of...>MORE
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
