By Richard Mabey Jr.
In the spring of 1946, my Dad returned home from having served at Hickam Airfield during the Second World War. Home was the house that Dad’s father, Watson Mabey, built around 1918. Dad’s family home was located at the end of Mabey Lane in Lincoln Park. The garage was built by Dad and his brother Edward, just before they both enlisted to serve in the armed services during World War II.
When Dad came home from the war, he worked as a truck driver for Moon Carrier in Paterson. Dad saved his money and very soon bought a motorcycle. Despite the protests of his mom, Bertha Storms Mabey, Dad drove his motorcycle all around Lincoln Park, Towaco and Boonton.
There was one place in Boonton that was Dad’s favorite place to visit, that of his brother Earl’s home on the 600 block of Boonton Avenue. Dad would often visit his brother and his brother’s wife, Eleanor. For across the street from his brother’s home, was the Kemmerer Homestead, where my mom, Janet Kemmerer lived. Mom was the youngest child of the nine children of Edmund and Lydia.
Mom was the Manager of the Bakery Department of the A&P Grocery Store in Boonton. It was my Aunt Eleanor who gave Mom Dad’s mailing address at Hickam Airfield. And, about once a week, Mom would send Dad homemade cookies or pies.
Mom loved to read books and would often read while sitting on the long, rock wall that stood in front of the Kemmerer Homestead along Boonton Avenue. There was a tall maple tree near the sidewalk of the old Kemmerer Homestead. And Dad would sit upon his motorcycle, beneath the shade of the maple tree, and talk and talk and talk with Mom.
At first Mom’s Dad did not appreciate my father all that well. The Kemmerers were very strict Methodists. And, Grandpa Kemmerer did not want his youngest daughter talking to a man who drove a motorcycle.
It was Dad’s brother Earl, who told Dad that he should trade in his motorcycle for a car. I know for a fact that Dad was torn between his love for Mom and his love for his motorcycle. I know this because, when I was attending County College, at 19, hiking the Appalachian Trail with Dad, my beloved father told me the story of his motorcycle era.
Long story short, Dad did not sell his motorcycle right away. He kept in the old garage at the end of Mabey Lane and would borrow his brother Edward’s car, to travel to Boonton to visit Mom. Soon after Dad stopped riding his motorcycle to the old Kemmerer Homestead, that he began gaining favor with my maternal grandfather.
One day, when I was in my early twenties, on a visit with Grandma Mabey, Grandma told me more about Dad’s love for his motorcycle. That even after Dad retired his motorcycle and kept it stored in the garage; Dad would go into the garage and just sit on the motorcycle for long periods of time.
To the best of my knowledge, the old garage at the end of Mabey Lane still stands. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the rock wall along the 600 block of Boonton Avenue still stands. Before my soul leaves this physical body, I want to return to Lincoln Park, walk down Mabey Lane and just look at the old garage, where Dad once retired his shining motorcycle.
Also, I plan on walking along the 600 block of Boonton Avenue. And, if I get the courage, just sit upon that old rock wall for a minute or two. I do hope I get to visit these two landmarks, before I pass.
Fate and Destiny are strange twins. I often wonder where I would be if Dad chose not to retire his motorcycle. Many times, over the years, Mom told me the story of how her father first disapproved of Dad talking to her, because of his motorcycle. From Earth to Heaven, thank you Dad for retiring your motorcycle all those years ago.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He currently has a daily YouTube program, entitled “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard can be reached at richardjamesmabey@gmail.com.