THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412230250
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: In Appreciation
SOURCE: BY RUSSELL BORJES, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Tim Kain didn't possess the physical skills to be an exceptional high school athlete. In fact, when he attended Wilson in the 1940s, he never made the first string.
He was a substitute halfback in football and a reserve guard in basketball.
When it came to heart, however, Tim was world class. In fact, tiny Tim may have had the biggest heart in town.
Perhaps he was best in the ring. He had a career as an amateur boxer. And he had quite a reputation for defending himself and anyone who was his friend - especially me.
I'll remember Tim as a fighter who wasn't afraid to mix it up with anybody.
I remember once we went to Lynchburg to play an E.C. Glass High basketball team that hadn't lost at home in 10 or 15 years.
We played our best game of the season - and I think Glass had an off night.
Anyway, we won the game, 42-41, and when it ended, I was dribbling around at midcourt freezing the ball.
The Lynchburg fans were so frustrated that they rushed onto the court and a full-court riot seem to be materializing - with me right in the middle.
Suddenly Tim shot off the Wilson bench, pushed his way through the angry crowd and reached me. He took the ball out of my hands.
``Get out of here,'' he yelled. ``I'll take care of this.''
I took his advice. I learned later that he shoved a few people and may have gotten off a few punches. But I think he averted a serious melee with his quick actions.
He never tired of retelling that story in later years.
I also remember one night after he and I had joined the Army together and were stationed at the same base. I got into an argument with a bully of a sergeant.
Tim sized up the situation - he was street smart. He pushed me aside and he and the other soldier went at it.
The other soldier must have weighed around 200 pounds and Tim was no more than 135.
Tim didn't win the bare-knuckled scrap but the bigger man knew he had been in a battle.
After the Army days, Tim worked in the Naval Shipyard until he was forced to retire on disability with asbestosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
His ailments slowed him down but he never gave up. Some days the pain was so severe that he could hardly get out of bed but he lived with the pain without complaint.
Then cancer developed and spread into his bone marrow. Still, he would get out every day and drive his car. He said driving gave him some relief from the pain.
Then, last Monday, he died.
Cancer had killed him but it didn't beat him. Tim had too much heart for that.
Nice fight, Tim. MEMO: Russell Borjes is an editor in the Portsmouth office of The
Virginian-Pilot and the Ledger-Star.
by CNB