MEETING MY FATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

---

PICTURED ABOVE: Earl Kanis holding his son Jerry on the day they first met, July 1945

The Mariemont Inn on the east side of Cincinnati has been the site of many family gatherings over the years including; rehearsal dinners, wedding nights, business events, New Year’s Eve parties, holidays and many family brunches and dinners. But the most notable family event was a very special meeting that occurred there in the July of 1945.

Jerry Kanis had never known his father. From the time of his birth his father, Sgt. Earl Kanis, was away at war serving in the U S Army’s European Theater. He was in North Africa for a stint but eventually was based in Bari, Italy. In the summer 1945, Earl received word that his father was on his deathbed. The Army granted Earl a bereavement leave and he hastily returned back to Cincinnati. Traveling from a war zone being what it was at that time, Earl was not able to arrive back in time. Sadly his father, Clarence John Kanis, passed away at his home on Harris Ave. without seeing his son one last time.

Earl arrived at Cincinnati's Union Terminal just days later. He was immediately taken to The Mariemont Inn where it was arranged for him to meet his wife Mary Frances who he had not seen in over four years. He also was to meet his four-year old son Jerome Earl Kanis for the very first time.

This was a great and joyous event. Surprisingly, even know Jerry was very young at the time, he has a clear recollection of the events of that day. 

- as recollected by Jerry Kanis