David "Dink" Hensel 1950-2011
David Keith "Dink" Hensel, 61,
of Key West, FL., passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at his home.
He was born Aug. 13, 1950,
in New London, Conn., to Jeri and Marjorie Hensel, Dink was the youngest of three brothers. His family moved to Key West when
he was a child. He lived most of his life here, except for a few years he spent in "college."
To his family, friends and complete strangers, Dink was one of the funniest people in the world. His laughter was
contagious and he was the best storyteller. He will truly be missed, but Never Forgotten.
Dink's
life continues through his son, partner, brother, Kitty the cat, family and many dear friends. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that his friends get together over some beers and share memories if Dink.
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Comments by N.S.Sherlock
In the early 60's we moved to William St., Dink Hensel hung
out in the area. Him and his friends had skiffs, they docked on Caroline St. They learned the waters and ways to make money
off it, at an early age. Allways the Funny Guy, when he got his Big Boat, it was a beauty, he named
it Huh?, that's what people said when they saw it. He was a respected boat captain. In the 70's, remember Dink
at Howie's Lounge or on the Wall by Miss Bina's, trying to keep his brother Dennis out of trouble, they were very close.
It was my great pleasure to have spoken to Dink, a few weeks earlier at Julian's funeral. Seeing him, i could hardly not
laught, he was trying to hold back his smile, he let it out, as we talked. Dink is one of the people that made old
Key West so great, he will allways be remembered as a truly Original Conch.
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Julian Barrios 1945-2011
Julian Silvino Barrios Jr. of Key West, FL, born on Aug.11,1945,
went on to meet the Great Fisherman in the Sky on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011. Julian passed away with his loving wife of 46 years
by his side.
Julian retired with 27 years of service from
the Department of Defense, NAS Key West Civil Service, as an architectural engineering technician. As many of you knew, he
was a jack of all trades, master carpenter, creative and talented artist, boat builder and will be remembered for his many
woodcarvings and artwork.
He leaves a big family behind and
many friends and brothers, to cherish his memory. Julian was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 1760 for 42 years
and Sons of the American Legion Post 28.
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Comment by N.S.Sherlock
This writer became familiar with Julian, when he married into the Mr. Raymond Gilbert family, who i associated
with. While working on the construction of the Sportsmen Inn, around 1972, Julian was there and i assumed he was
just another worker. When work began, Julian was the man reading the blueprints and handing out assignments, that was when
i found out he was not ordinary, in fact, he was highly intelegent. He built that hotel, mostly with Key West guys and is
still standing today.
Juilian is one of the reasons that there is still a Key West
Moose Lodge, they were saying What Happens Here Stays Here, long befor Vegas, so i won't say much. You know you have
a friend, when they try to get you to shut-up from making a fool of yourself, Julian and Cathy, often tried to do that, i
listened once or twice. You can hardly say one name, without the other, Cathy and Julian was a great team, they volunteered
more hours of their time, than anyone and earned Julian a Pilgrim Gold Jacket. Dinners, Bingo, special events,board meetings and
the Annual Christmas Float would not have won so many times without Julian's artistic touch every year.Remember him and Picky
Marshall bringing their catch of Moonfish to the Moose.
Julian had a great send
off, a testatment of his contribution to the entire community, the Key West Police Chief, personally attended to
arrangments and Conchs were overflowing Lopez Funeral Home, many of his Friends honored him that day at the American
Legion. Another Great One we will see on the other side.
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Carol Maribona Lambert 1951-2010
Often N.S.
has said, that the guys growing up in Key West were among the luckiest in the World, seems like there were always
lots of pretty Conch Girls to admire, Carol was one. We are only a few months apart in age, but years in maturity, like most,
out of my league. Growing up in George Allen, it seems like we knew each other, most of our lives. I remember her
best in the Twirlets, my sister was one, there were alot of them and I had to go to Bayview Park for almost all
of their practices. Besides being good looking, she was a standout in her performance with the baton, becoming a Majorette
at KWHS. What is remembered most, that she always seemed to have a smile, was smart and acknowledged my presents.
Carol was a member of the Florida Nursing Association and most recently, served
as the division director of Treasure Coast Hospice, nurses are very special people, she used that beautiful smile to help
many people. Her parents are well liked community leaders in Conch History, her brother also a well known Conch, my condolences
to them, her husband, son, stepdaughters, all the grand and great-grand children. They best remember her for strength
of character and determination. She will be greatly missed and remembered by many.
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Murphy Cates
1934-2010
The last of the Cates brothers has passed, Mr. Murphy Cates, they were all well
known and successful Conchs. I never worked for Mr. Cates but his influence at NAS Key West Public Works Department and is
still being felt today. Many of his employees, that I worked with at PWD, would always talk about how much they
loved and respected him, he was known for standing up for his men. I did know Mr. Cates from his relationship with my
in-laws, who lived down the street from him on Crane Blvd. His was a beautiful home, on what must have been a couple
acres, the bottom floor was like a meeting room, tables, chairs and a bar and kitchen, perfect for a party. He put it to good
use every 4th of July, with a party that was attended by hundreds, he had a pit for a roast Pig, loaded with all the
Cuban ingredients and pampered from the early morning hours, in addition to just about every dish you could think of. He continued
this tradition, even after leaving the Keys. I grew up with Mr. Cates' son and nephews, one of which is the present Mayor
of Key West, my condolences to them and the entire Cates Family.
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Barney Ballard Sr. 1954-2010
Many of us knew Barney growing up in Key West.
He was a quiet guy, who minded his own business and everyone liked. We were not close, but a couple of my friends were,
Billy Roberts and Stanley Bishop, I think they were all in auto mechanics class at KWHS. Barney went on to become a life-long
Master Mechanic. He married his high school sweatheart, a Conch Girl and raised two children and enjoyed his grand children.
Our condolences to all, but know Barney grew up during what we beleive was a very special time and many people will remember
him as part of it.
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Franklin Delano Hernandez Sr. 1935-2010
One
of the most Loyal and Loveable Conchs of all time, Frankie Hernandez has passed and left a void, that will be imposssible
to fill. Allways with a smile on his face, his presents would uplift and bring enjoyable times to all.
Frankie and I were Moose brothers, he became a good friend and advisor over
the past 20 years, sat together just 3 months ago at a friend's funeral and had a good conversation.
I had known him before, through friendship's with his oldest son and daughter.
He volunteered many hours at the Key West Moose Lodge and remember him washing dishes at the Sunday
Morning Breakfast with Ed Donohue. He also served several terms on the board of officers and no function was successful without
Frankie and several tables full of his good friends.
Frankie lived life to its fullest and
was devoted to his family, friends and girlfriend, our condolences to all. Many people will Thank God for putting him
in our lives and know, we will see him again.
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Mr. Billy Spencer 1929-2010
As a youngster, one of my favorite places was the Southernmost
Skating Rink. that was when i first came to know Mr. Billy Spencer. He was like a referee there, he would skate with us, keep
order and also conduct games. As teenagers during the last days of this rink, one that most of our parents had stories
about, we would go there with groups and Mr. Spencer was still there.
Then when i was delivering
the early morning Herald, Mr. Spencer would be delivering milk for Home Milk, he had a number of jobs. Everyone knows that
his number one job, was as a highly respected officer of the KWPD.
Mr. Spencer was friends
with my father and he told him once, that if he saw me drinking, to bring me home. I think i still hold the record for most
rides home in a squad car. Looking back, he probably kept me out of alot of trouble. He was truly one of Key West's finest
and among the greatest in Conch History.
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Greg Park 1957-2010 Legend of the Park Brothers
When we were growing
up in Key West, many of us knew the Park Brothers. At a young age i remember a community concern for them, they had serious
medical problems. There were blood drives and civic organizations help. Their chances of survival or having normal lives were
not good.
About 10 years later, as teenagers, our group of guys, were going to the basketball
courts behind the Catholic church, to play some Mary's Boys. That was when i came to be friends with Cliff Park, he was a
good ball player, i think MIHS was ranked top 10 in the state, when those guys played. I did try to keep any prospective girlfriends
away from him, he was good looking and the girls loved him. He was the oldest, John, who his friends called Fat Boy, was the
youngest, he was well known and had a beautiful blond daughter.
David
Park, his friends called him Toad, he didn't mind and sometimes it seemed he liked it, not sure why i just called him David.
During the good old days i would frequent Che Che's Bar, sometimes i became loud and obnoxious, David would come in from
the store, take me to the back room and give me a good talking too. He got a kick out of the immatation i did of a fire
truck siren, most people hated. After Che Che's closed David started coming to the Moose more often with his Daddy, we were
good friends and brothers till his passing.
The first time
i came to know Greg Park was at Key West Beer and Wine, the Ramp, i was strugling with a dolly full of cases of beer up
the ramp, he grabbed ahold and helped me push it up. He was working for Budwiser and i was with a different distributor, he
could sling those kegs like they were waightless, i could barely pick one up. We became good friends over the years,
he had such a deep love for his wife and daughter that it could be felt when they were together. He also would remind
me about his cousin, Bayview. Greg was an active Moose brother and i loved seeing him there during recent visits these
last few years, he would catch me up on things and we would drink a couple of cold ones, he will be missed by many.
Some may ask, where's the Legend, the fact is, these guys would not want to be part
of any legend, they all lived normal, full lives and that's how they would want to be remembered. But, the truth is, what
was once a very public medical condition, became a faded memory, some didn't even know about it and that was the way they
wanted it. Their loved ones know different, they fought courageous and sometimes painful battles in private. Miss
Faye Rose has all her boys now and they will allways be Legends to me, for the courage and Love they showed during their
Great Lives. We were all very lucky to have known them.
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George Valdez 1948-2010
Many of us that
grew up in Key West knew George most of our lives, he was well known and liked by many, some knew his sisters or like myself,
a friend of his younger brother.
He was a reliable and trusted employee of Mel &
Charlie's for many years and alot of us, used that service station because he was there. Many times Conchs, become unhappy
with their nick names, after too many years of hearing it, i will not repeat it, althought we called him it for so long
and was not easy for us to forget. George is a part of conch history and will be remembered, Condolences to the entire
Valdez Family.
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Ceasar
Davila 1952-2010