On Friday evening, as most people were getting home from another work week and trying to sort out plans for the weekend, I was sitting in the shadows of Channel 47's studio watching Greg Gaston, "the hardest working man in television" do his last sportscast on WMDT TV.
It it always difficult to come to an end, even with the promise of a long dreamed for new beginning. And so it was for my old friend, Greg.
Greg and I shared seven years and thousands of on-air hours together at Channel 47. We shared the Camelot time and the less than perfect time. Through it all, Greg's sense of humor, professionalism, passion for his work and kindness as a human being prevailed.
He taught me a lot about the TV news business. He added a lot to my life by being the fine man and a good friend. You never forget the bonds created by spending time in the trenches together.
"IS THERE A GOD IN HEAVEN ??" Greg would cry after a particularly frustrating night. We would both watch co-workers leave for bigger and better jobs in bigger and better markets. It's difficult to accept that the time just isn't right for you.
Greg's will for perfection put us all to shame. As I was busy packing up to get home after the 11:00 o'clock show, he would always be in the edit booth, going over the night's show tape to see what worked, and what didn't. It was this dedication, and this late-night pouring over field tapes, finding just the right video, that earned him the title. And earned it, he did.
On the phone and in his interviews he gave the same attention to "big news makers" and to the high school stars alike. Everyone was special to Greg, and he made them feel special. On the air, he communicated person to person even though his words were reaching thousands.
So in the shadows I sat, watching Greg say his goodbye to Delmarva. It was a sacred few moments, flooded with memories and flavored with the happiness that comes from knowing someone who you care for is getting a break they well deserve. I will miss Greg, as surely will a lot of us who live here on the Eastern Shore. But I know in my heart, we will all see him again, doing what he loves best.
And I know, no matter where he goes, he will always be... the hardest-working man in television.