I lost a huge part of my life this morning at 8:25. You knew him as The Paisan. The wise-cracking ex-NC State kicker who loved the shows so much he often called when he probably shouldn't have. But admit it, you were glad he did. Along with whatever was on his mind that day he always found a way to slip in a minor profanity, a well-timed and hilarious intentional mispronunciation and of course an obligatory Ella Dorsey mention. Like many that's who he played on the radio, not who he was.
He was Don Carson -or to those closest to him- Donnie, Oink, O.J. or my go-to moniker Juice. He was a man that created and/or directed events or organizations that others benefited from far beyond what he did. As his adulthood progressed he was a youth baseball coach, an adult tournament softball team player-coach and directed a softball tournament that was the envy of all in the area with the exception of the world-renowned Smoky Mountain Classic. He volunteered his time to the Oak Ridge QB Club -and Oak Ridge High School sports in general- long after his son Tony had completed his playing time. He spent hours over a smoker so civic event attendees could have a quality meal and benefit efforts could be successful. He was a man that lived to provide anything and everything for others that they otherwise would be deprived of whether it was jobs, playing opportunities, tickets to sporting events or simply mowing their yard or taking them to the doctor when loved ones were unavailable or unable. Always giving asking little or nothing in return.
He was the Chief Steward of the Utility Operators at Y-12 fighting for better jobs and benefits for hundreds of men and women who knew beyond a doubt no one would fight more fiercely for their rights. He stood by his principles and those who depended on him through a long and arduous Y-12 strike in 1985 with a job offer from the International Union of Operating Engineers on the table. Only after the strike's resolution did he accept what could have kept him off the picket lines and out of debt.
He was the National Training Director for the IUOE and was a major driver in securing the funds necessary to construct a multimillion dollar, state of the art, training facility in Beaver West Virginia which upon it's completion not only trained many of the finest Heavy Equipment Operators and Stationary Engineers in the United States but also provided jobs for those in an area starving for quality employment. He quite simply was the driving force behind the foremost peer training program in America. During his tenure as an advocate of the working man he was required to interact or negotiate with members of Congress, Senators and Governors even rubbing shoulders with Cabinet Members and the President of the United States. He was equally comfortable and confident in either setting.
He was a patriot. He told me many times he felt like a soldier without a war; too young for Vietnam and too old to deploy to the Mid East. So he served his country right here after the worst terrorist attack in history on home soil. Arriving at Ground Zero on September 14th 2001 and remaining for the duration of the cleanup in May of 2003. He spent every day for 21 months protecting the Heavy Equipment Operators from the myriad of health issues prevalent at the site while also comforting those who lost loved ones in the attack.
Above and beyond all of that he was a father that helped raise three wonderful children; Donnie, Tony and Luci. He was a Husband, a Brother, an Uncle and had just begun to be a doting Grandfather.
The hardest part for me is this; I am not a skilled enough writer to describe what a great friend he truly was. He was the guy that if you needed him in 30 minutes he would be there in 15, no questions asked, ready to stand by your side versus whatever you were facing. And because of it you would know damn well the odds were in your favor. He was my lifelong friend and that is a void impossible to fill. I will miss him greatly for whatever time I have remaining on this earth.
The good news is rather than say goodbye to my dear friend I said “see you later”. Because several years back he gave his heart and soul to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm now promised a reunion when my time on this earth is done. Thank you my precious friend for all you meant to me. I will miss you greatly and this old world can never be as good without you. I love you and will see you again one day.
