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1966 - 2006 friend |
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On Sunday, March 26, 2006, our good friend and occasional employee, Henry Hernandez was killed in a tragic car accident in Kenosha, WI. Henry has been my good friend for years and was our first official employee after the management transition in June of 2004. Despite his large and, to some, almost frightening presence, Henry was a delightful man with an infectious laugh and a gentle demeanor. Henry was here when we first brought Pacific Sands from California to Racine, WI - our first official employee. My wife referred to the three of us (Michael Michie, Henry and myself) as “The Untouchables” because, in those first precarious months after taking Pacific Sands over, no matter how tough things got, no matter what insane hours we had to work to pull things through, the three of us were there and got the job done. Henry was going to be helping out with some projects at our home over the next couple of weeks. My three year old daughter loved him and was delighted to hear that Henry was going to be around soon. The other day she woke up and the first thing she said to me was “Is Henry coming today?” and I had to tell her the hardest words I've ever spoken. “No Honey. Henry's not coming any more.” I will miss him dearly. Mick Wynhoff |
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Henry and Mick rehabbing a home in 2003. |
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Henry helping out with a neighborhood cleanup during Mick’s (thankfully unsuccessful) aldermanic campaign. |
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I don’t remember why I took this picture. I can picture the conversation though... “OK - Make the ‘serious Henry’ face now...” |
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Mick, Mikaela and Henry at a political fundraiser in Racine. |
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Christmas Day at the Wynhoff family Christmas dinner. |
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Henry and Mike painting the new Pacific Sands office in 2005. |
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Henry Hernandez Jr. 1966 - 2006 friend |
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