Bassett was 'a journalist, in the best sense of the word'

Learning that my friend, colleague and co-conspirator Greg Bassett died Saturday was hard news to take. I already miss him. And I know many of you share my feeling of loss. Greg was a remarkable man, a loving father, and the best local journalist I have ever known.

Though long acquainted with each other by reputation beforehand, Greg and I first met “officially” in the winter of 2014. Our shared dream – to start a weekly newspaper in Salisbury – brought us together. Greg of course had first claim to the territory. Salisbury was his home. He had worked for the Daily Times, starting as a news intern back in the day and ending up as general manager and executive editor. I was a transplant. My family and I moved to Newtown in 1994. I had come to Delmarva to run a group of weekly newspapers, known at the time as Atlantic Publications.

I suppose it goes without saying that the newspaper industry was in flux then, as it is now, so one upheaval led to another, and ten years later, on an icy February morning in 2014, Greg and I found ourselves sharing cups of bitter black coffee in Milford making plans to launch the Salisbury Independent. Right from the beginning the two of us “clicked.” We recognized each other as kindred spirits. We shared the same values, and we both blindly believed in the importance of community journalism.

I remember we spent most of our initial planning time together dwelling on the role of a weekly newspaper. To us the business plan was always second. We wanted to publish a newspaper that gave a human voice to the “place you call home.” Greg provided that voice. He never failed to amaze me.

For one thing, no one – and I mean no one – had a deeper store of knowledge about Salisbury, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Greg not only knew something about everyone, but he also could place what he knew into context. It is little wonder that he was constantly sought out by every community leader for his opinion or insight.

But Greg was more than a historian. He was a journalist, in the best sense of the word. In my experience nothing offended Greg as much as an elected official who either through laziness or self-interest sought to dissemble before or to confuse his or her constituents. I always marveled at his simple, straight-forward explanations of complicated and esoteric public policy. He could make me understand, and that is no small accomplishment! Greg was a genuine government watchdog, but he carried out this role with manners and respect.

Greg also had an enormous capacity to show compassion and understanding for others. Over the last nine years he never once shied away from writing about the most heart-wrenching accidents, crimes and deaths, and he always did so with an other-worldly, touching sensitivity; he had the gift to understand how others feel when their lives have been turned upside down.

I could go on. But I will end with this: To me, the one thing I will miss most about my friend is his boundless love of life, the joy he took in little things like walking around downtown or meeting somewhere for a sandwich –  and then of course there was his limitless self-deprecating sense of humor. Greg Bassett could make me laugh, and there is no higher compliment I can pay to anyone.

Along with Greg Bassett, Darel La Prade founded the Salisbury Independent.