The news of the passing of Tim Russert on Friday left me stunned. Certainly he was too young but more importantly his life resonated for me.
Over the weekend I watched Matt Lauer lead the Saturday Today Show in memory of Tim, watched another tribute Sunday Today show and the special Meet The Press. This morning I watched his college grad son, Luke, speak with Matt. Some say NBC was milking it. Not true. Here was a man cut down in his prime, as I've said, and an everyman kind of guy that the nation related to in an intimate way.
I started considering the many striking similarities and things shared between he and myself. We both grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, albeit in different cities. Yet, we both championed those cities.
He spent formative years in my city of Cleveland, attending John Carroll University and Cleveland State's Marshall Law School.
In his first book, Big Russ And Me, he talks of the annual trip his dad, uncle, etc. would make to Cleveland to watch an Indians game.
I read both that book and the follow up companion, Wisdom Of Our Fathers, gleaning valuable life lessons which I've applied to mine.
He was also a devout Catholic. I, too, came back to the Church after the seeming miracle conception of my son. A miracle that became even larger to me when he was born on my 40th birthday. And like Tim, our son's are our only children.
I now have the good fortune of working within a few minute walk of a Catholic church where I'm able to attend noon Mass on most days. Tim and his family will certainly be in my prayers today at Mass.
Lastly, Tim and I shared a huge love of Bruce Springsteen and his music. While attending John Carroll University he was on the concert committee and was instrumental in bringing Springsteen and the E Street Band to the campus for one of his first shows in Cleveland. The Boss became part of the Cleveland fabric thanks to WMMS and, as it turns out, with some help from Tim. In fact, he worked with legendary WMMS DJ, Kid Leo, in helping promote that JCU Springsteen show.
Saturday night in Cardiff, UK before playing Thunder Road Bruce addressed the crowd:
"I'd like to do this tonight for a long time friend of the E Street Band who passed away suddenly.
"Tim Russert was an important unreplacable voice in American
journalism. I watched him hold our politicians feet to the fire on many
Sunday mornings. He was always a strong voice for honesty and
accountability in American government .. but beyond that he was a
lovely presence, a good father, husband, and good guy. He was a regular
at many E Street Band shows and I'm going to miss looking down and
seeing that big smiling face in the crowd.
"We send this out all the way back to the states tonight for his son
Luke, his wife Maureen, his dad Big Russ , and all the Russert family.
"Tim , God Bless You, We will miss you..."
For me, Tim will act as a mentor, a barometer, to which I will measure my life's endeavors.
Mobile DJ Service
The view of Paris from Sacre Coeur.
Notre Dame
La Gare De Nord, the main train terminal of Paris.
