Kids & Family

What Our Dads Taught Us

Father's Day musings from the mayor, his dad, and your neighbors around Half Moon Bay.

In this video, Half Moon Bay mayor Rick Kowalczyk and his dad, Richard Kowalczyk senior, are asked to share what they've learned from their dads in celebration of this Father's Day weekend.

What have you learned from your dad?

Half Moon Bay mayor Rick Kowalczyk and his dad, Richard, 78, visiting from Michigan for three weeks to catch his granddaughter’s graduation from Half Moon Bay High School this week, were posed that question in La Piazza courtyard on Main Street Thursday — and like father like son, their answers nearly mirrored each other. 

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Both say learning a good “work ethic” and having a “stick-to-itiveness” is something they were taught from their fathers. Building character by learning to work hard is certainly a value this family has passed down the generations.

They also hint at a long-standing competition between each other when it comes to fishing — which began when Rick, at 5 years old, caught more fish than Richard, something he won’t let his dad forget to this day.

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“How many did you catch, Dad? Three? I caught five,” teases Rick.

“Why Rick claims he caught more fish than me was his famous Zebco 101 reel, which he still possesses,” replies Richard with a smile, a retired liberal arts professor from the University of Detroit who says during his off time enjoyed fishing with his kids.

To celebrate Father’s Day, the Kowalczyks are planning to have a family dinner and then head to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and enjoy some rides for the day.

“We don’t always have my dad in town so we’re planning to spend a nice casual day with family,” said Rick.

People from around Half Moon Bay also wrote in to Patch’s Facebook page, sharing their lessons learned from dad. Here’s what they had to say:

Natascha Boehnke: “Make sure you always have duct tape. It can fix most anything.”

Julie Sarab: “Mind over matter.”

Christine Tapia-Bleyenburg: “Everything in moderation.”

Stephanie Grant: "Measure twice, cut once.”

Julia Winfield Ferdinand: “Always ask. The worst thing they can say is no."

Cristina Catalano-Dockins: “In marriage, pick your battles wisely.”

Amanda A Stewart-Lahey: “Be understanding and compassionate, you don't know how others may suffer. Be the best person you can be, regardless of how it’s reciprocated. Thank you Frank!”

And Frank Guarino replied back to Amanda: “Yes, you just don't know what kind of day someone's had. You're the best daughter anyone could hope for.”

Father’s Day is Sunday.

Tell us: What has your dad taught you? Share your lessons from dad in the comments section.

 


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