A man of letters,

A man of arts.A man of music, song and heart.Doing his best, the ultimate winner.Eternal optimism of a Chamber dinner.The spirited sportswriterTales of great deeds,A helping hand to those in need.A tutor, a guide, a benevolent mind,Asking questions, to seek and find.Tough and gentle,Big and strong,Firm convictions of right and wrong.Doing everything he canIn endless service to fellow man.Bravely forward ice and fire,Reporting news, reaching higher.Beating the storm, saving the day,Amidst life's perils he found a wayTo make a difference, to be a friendTo share in afterglowWhen daylight ends.To embody sunshine;To light the way,To give us hope,As we bow and pray.He lived for others,Staunch and proudYet far too humbleTo shout out loud.Then came one day,High above the crowdHe absorbed the world's abstractionsAnd vanished like a cloud.Joseph M. Plaskowas called home March 22, 2011We miss you Joe.