The Sun talks with Citizen of the Year, Gene Kain
Gene Kain should be a synonym for active.
An active member of the Haddonfield community as well as an active sports person, Kain always seems to be on the go. He is a runner, biker and swimmer all the while maintaining his job at a funeral home as well as a member of the Library Board of Trustees, Haddonfield Rotary Club and the Y’s Men.
He doesn’t seem to stop.
For all his contributions to the town, past and present, Kain was chosen as the 2015 Citizen of the Year. At the Mayor’s Breakfast on Jan. 17, Kain was honored with a speech and plaque for being named the 43rd Citizen of the Year. However, Kain felt he couldn’t have done anything that he has accomplished without the support of others.
“I thank you all for considering me for this award. And the only reason I accept it is on the behalf of all of the people who have helped me, so thanks to all of you,” Kain said.
Kain was born in Germany, a part of a military family, and it wasn’t until he was about 5 years old that he and his family moved to Haddonfield. Since then, he has liked Haddonfield so much he has remained, living in the same house in which he grew up.
“My favorite thing is the friendliness of the community,” Kain said.
Kain is an alumnus of Haddonfield Memorial High School and went to Gettysburg College for a physical education degree. Being physically active is a passion of Kain’s. At high school and college, Kain was involved in wrestling, student council and joined a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Kain is well known for his wrestling achievements, including winning many championships and being named to two Hall of Fames.
Kain met his wife Myra at college and has been married for 46 years. The couple has a son Michael and daughter Rachel and two grandchildren with a third on the way. He was a physical education teacher at HMHS from 1969–1974 before getting in the funeral business in 1979. He now works at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services in Haddonfield.
He didn’t just stop at his job in Haddonfield. He was also a part of a bunch of different organizations in the borough, including his favorite time of being on the Recreation Council, which he was on for more than 10 years.
“What I did the longest was the Rec Council with the kids and athletics. Being involved with them was a big deal for me,” Kain said.
From there, at a suggestion of a friend, he ran for commissioner and was elected mayor by his fellow commissioners, serving in that position from 1997 to 2001.
“I really didn’t expect that to happen. Everyone suggested it,” Kain said.
He didn’t run again when his term was finished due to work obligations. The expectations are high for the Haddonfield mayor, and he just didn’t have the time.
Now, when he isn’t working, Kain has more time for his hobbies. A fan of all sports, Kain runs, bikes and swims for fun and gets involved in triathlons all over the world. Kain has represented the country a few times in triathlons in London and in other places in the past few years.
“It’s fun to do. Representing team USA, that’s been fun,” Kain said.
When he isn’t working out — he swims almost every morning — he tries to go to some concerts, usually Irish or Celtic music that has occasionally been performed in Haddonfield. He has also taken to learning music, taking classes and learning to play the violin at the age of 61.
On the occasional weekend Kain has off, he will travel to Vermont where his family has a place that is beside a ski mountain. In the summer, he’ll do races and triathlons. And, of course, he’ll spend time with his children whenever he can.
One of the races Kain is looking forward to this year is the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, which is one of the oldest running open swim races and 4.5 miles long. He said it is a lot of work to great ready for it, but based on all Kain does, it doesn’t seem like it will be a problem.
