A day to reflect, mourn and celebrate in Dubuque
I doubt if the Gazette newsroom has ever been more vacant for more of the day than it was today.
Dozens of us traveled to Dubuque, Iowa, to say pay our respects and say goodbye to sports staffer John McPoland.
Father Thomas Zinkula of Holy Ghost Catholic Church near downtown Dubuque said that in his 20 years as a priest, he has done hundreds of funerals, but this was the first time the gospel was about the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine for the celebration.
John requested that gospel because he didn't want us to be sad at his passing. He wouldn't have wanted the dreary, rainy skies in Dubuque today, either. So we celebrated his final journey toward heaven.
There is a time to mourn and a time to dance, we heard in the first reading. We didn't dance. We shed a few tears but also enjoyed recalling the good times, our many special memories of John.
Father Zinkula told us to celebrate the miracles surrounding John's final months. How he became less judgmental, more compassionate. How he grew closer to the Lord. How so many people came together to support him. How John was able to plan his own funeral.
Those plans included being buried (despite his dear mother's reluctance) in his favorite shirt, one he bought in Vegas and showed a dragon. He even picked out the family-style food we enjoyed at a restaurant after the services.
As we traveled the streets of historic Dubuque, Editor Scott Angus noted that the city has "character."
Dubuque sent all of us in Janesville one unforgettable character, as well.
Godspeed, John McPoland. We'll see you soon.
Greg Peck
Oct 9, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.
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A fitting tribute to John, his beloved co-workers attending his funeral as they did. These people were devoted to John. They became his second family, taking him to the doctor, taking turns staying with him in the hospital, encouraging him through his journey to keep up the fight, even cleaning his house and taking care of his little dog, Tally. John was so blessed to have this circle of friends tending to him.
Yesterday (I, too, am a Gazette employee), I ventured into the newsroom. It was the first time I'd ever seen this usually bustling, noisy, room so quiet and so dark....nary a light was on but the dim lights around various empty desks. Once more...a reminder of the kindness of these people who walked with John through his final days.
Rest in peace, our dear friend, John...you are loved and will be remembered by all of us here at the Gazette and all who knew you....and many who didn't.
Oct 9, 2009 at 8:40 a.m.
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Very appropriate and touching blog, Greg. Thanks!
Oct 8, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.
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Though the majority of Us Gazette Readers could not personally make it to John's Funeral we were there in thought and spirit.We will all miss him. The Tributes paid to John this week have been wonderful rest in peace my friend till we meet again.
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