Thomas Leonard "Tick" Kershaw

Thomas “Tick” Leonard Kershaw, was born Saturday, February 5, 1938, in Maitland, West Virginia, to the late Elike and Thenia Kershaw. Tick entered into his eternal rest on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 10:40 AM, at Bayhealth Hospital in Kent County, Delaware. While his death was unexpected and followed by so much sadness, we are here today, not to dwell in sorrow, but to celebrate the long and loving life of our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. Tick attended and graduated from Kimball High School in West Virginia. Years later, he moved to Yonkers, New York, where he worked and retired from General Motors Corporation, after 30 plus years. During Tick’s journey in life, he met and married Mikelina Smedely, and out of that union, three children were born. Tick wore many hats as the beloved patriarch of the family and was loved by everyone who was in his presence. Nothing gave Tick more joy than to spend time with family and loved ones – a true family man. During his time here on earth, Tick enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, sports and being outdoors. Tick was a self-made man. He LOVED working with his hands, which was made evident by the two homes he built. He even continued to work on his most recent home, well into his 70’s, but that was just Tick – always building something beautiful from nothing. So, rest assured, he is probably already building something glorious out of gold in Heaven now, greeting each new angel with a smile and a “Hey now!” Tick was a loving and devoted grandad and no one knew this better than his grandchildren. Grandad was a kind and loving person who would do anything for you. He was our biggest supporter, the kind of man who’d never let you know that he caried around pictures of his children in his wallet, but when you found them, you’d be reminded of his warmth. He loved hearing about his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. As his health was failing, the family made sure to keep Tick active and surrounded by positive energy and loving family. We rest in knowing that in the late hours before his passing, our beloved spoke to the Lord and received salvation. In addition to his parents, Tick was preceded in death by his wife, Mikelina; two brothers from Philadelphia, Columbus and Otto (Annie); and three sisters, also from Philadelphia, Pastor Hilda Scales, Mattie Nowlan and Thelma Rush, as well as his sister, Annie “Peggy”, of Connecticut. Tick is survived by his daughters, Natacha Carter (Wayne) of DE, Celeste Ricketts (Lloyd) of NJ; son, Gary Kershaw of GA; eight grandchildren, David III, Michael, Morgana, Rashida, Kashana, Gary II, De’Jon and Kourtnie; four great-grandchildren, Malachi, Ariah, Tayvion and Teigen; as well as a host of devoted nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Tick’s warmth, kindness, support and humor will be greatly missed, but we rest better knowing he has found eternal peace.

Thomas Leonard "Tick" Kershaw

February 5, 1938 - November 9, 2020