If you have watched our broadcasts on Astound TV for any length of time, you have probably heard me say, on more than one occasion, that I am privileged to work with some of the hardest working, dedicated and loyal colleagues that I have ever been around in my 30+ years of working in the communications industry.
It’s a statement that I don’t say flippantly … and something I mean with all my heart.
But of all the people that I have ever worked with, there is no one who truly loved his work more than ATVN’s own Senior Editor, Paul Lewis.
After a two-and-a-half month bout with an illness, we lost Paul last Wednesday.
He was 59.
I first met Paul when I was a “Guest Auctioneer” when the local PBS station would host their extremely popular “Great On-Air Auctions” each spring — one of the great television events in this region that surprisingly stopped some time ago.
The event brought in on-air “talent” from all over the area – from established broadcasters to local “celebrities” – many not having a ton of announcing experience.
Like many of the people who worked at WLVT back then, Paul was extremely cordial and welcoming to all of us there to participate and showed a great deal of patience working with all of us (when I first started I was primarily a “radio guy” back then and was not familiar with all of television’s “tricks of the trade”). Despite working with so many “newbies,” Paul in particular was always friendly and helpful and made for a fun experience – Not to mention while still putting out a quality production from his spot behind the scenes.
Fast forward a number of years and Paul became a welcomed addition to our studio at Astound. Whatever his original title was when he was brought on board, he quickly embraced the nickname of being our station’s “Cookie Rojas” (named after the legendary baseball player who was a master at whatever skills a team required him to do). Paul was always quick to help out with whatever was needed and never said “no” when any of us asked for his assistance or to pick his brain about his very extensive knowledge of graphic design, editing, video production or pretty much anything you’d want to know about working behind the scenes in television.
If he was given an assignment that was immediately “due yesterday,” Paul would literally stay at his editing bay all night to make sure a project was completed. We also had to be careful not to bring up things that had to be done near a weekend or before a scheduled day off, because it was not uncommon for him to come in outside of business hours – just so he could be sure a task that needed to be done was finished. We often kidded Paul if he had decided which “room” at the studio he would be taking his vacations in.
Paul also freelanced working on independent films and documentaries, but his true passion away from the studio was his tuba. He loved performing in parades, concerts or anywhere there was a musical gathering (one of his favorite groups was being a part of the “Hobo Band,” which, despite their purposefully raggedy appearance, was a great little band to listen to.)
In fact, the last two times I visited Paul in the hospital, while he was going through quite a great deal medically-speaking, I could always get a smile out of him when I suggested he request his tuba be brought in to form an impromptu band so he could entertain the other patients.
Of the multitude of responsibilities Paul had with ATVN, something he handled with class and sovereignty was the production of our “Memorial Video” for our annual Dream Come True telethon. He took a great deal of pride putting the video together every year and strived to honor all the people associated with this organization who had passed on during the previous year.
Sadly, we’re now left to try to live up to Paul’s lofty standards in trying to pay tribute to his memory, for this year’s event.
We’ll miss you Paul. There is truly no way to replace you on our staff…and in our hearts!
Paul’s immediate family members wanted me to pass along that they are trying to secure a date with Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem for a memorial service for him. Two dates that they are looking at right now are either Saturday May 17th or Sunday June 1st.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.
