Mr. Hyde

Earlier today I read in the Chicago Tribune, that former US House of Representatives member Henry J. Hyde passed away at age 83. Mr. Hyde had been my Sister’s (the Saint) Congressional Representative for many years.

I spoke with him on many occasions during my self exile to Berwyn, Illinois in the early 1980’s. Henry was a very intelligent and quick witted person. He was also a good orator. He constantly cracked jokes and told stories about his fellow House members (he never mentioned any names – he left that to my imagination).

Henry was a good Irish Catholic and had the old fashion Catholic values that were very common in the Chicago Area. He represented a Congressional District where the constituents are predominantly white and Catholic.

So how did I meet Mr. Hyde? How did I end up at several of his parties? I knew his daughter well. She was a party animal and a fun person to be with. Henry didn’t really like this quality in his daughter, but he tolerated it. He also didn’t particularly like her choice of profession – she worked as a teller at Arlington and Sportsman’s Parks - Race Tracks!

I haven’t seen her or her father since 1982, but have good memories of both of them and the time that we had shared.

The Beach Bum.