Bernie Casserly died this past week.
He gave me my first job - reporter for the Catholic Bulletin (now the Catholic Spirit) and allowed for my first "real" byline.
Bernie was also my mentor. I didn't realize that, however, until many, many years after I moved on to other communities and other jobs.
Bernie respected reporters, and had this belief that, no matter where they practiced their craft, writers should be paid a fair salary -union scale. You can image my surprise when I learned, as a rookie reporter, that my salary was to be the same as the reporters at the Pioneer Dispatch.
As a publisher, he was encouraging -always with a big smile- yet careful not to let you tread onto ground you weren't ready for. I started work at the Bulletin in June of 1969, and I didn't get my first byline until sometime in September. I hope it wasn't because I disappointed him with my writing. I like to think he wanted to make sure "I" felt comfortable with the responsibility that comes with having your name attached to your work.
Over the years, I ran into Bernie at conventions. I always made a point of greeting him (gently reminding him of who I am) and thanking him for giving me a break and a push on the path to a career in journalism. That alway put a smile on his face.
Bernie taught me to respect the craft of journalism and respect the people who choose it as a career.
I can hope to make as great a difference in a student's life as Bernie made in mine.
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