Working with Tom Maher and the gang at National Underwriter whenI came aboard back in 1981 was like stepping onto the set of "TheFront Page," the play and movie about classic newspapermen--cynicalabout authority and dedicated to exposing shenanigans large andsmall. I'm very sad to report that Tom passed away on Feb. 13 atthe age of 77.

Tom was a real character, as well as a gentleman ofextraordinary character. Without his support and mentoring, I neverwould have been promoted to take over for him as managing editor in1986 when Tom left to pursue a second career as a freelance writerand marketing consultant. We remained close friends for 26years.

Tom was a stand-up guy who would do anything for a friend. Hewas old school--always putting in an honest day's work, andrespectful of anyone who did the same.

Tom was also a riot. His humor--most often self-deprecating--wassarcastic but never mean-spirited. While he did not suffer foolsgladly, he reserved his rapier wit to skewer those who had itcoming--quick to puncture the hypocrisy of blowhards, whether ingovernment, the industry or our own magazine.

Tom was a huge baseball fan and a dandy middle infielder in hisyouth who confessed he lacked a major league arm, but there wasnever anything minor league about his ability to pitch a story.

Tom was our "Marketing Scene" columnist--the expert on life inthe mythical kingdom of what he liked to call "Insurancedom,"reporting on how the industry spun its message. His funny andinsightful commentary was often worth the price of an NUsubscription by itself.

Thomas J. Slattery, the longtime NU editor who promoted me tomanaging editor, captured the essential decency of Tom Maher. "It'seasy enough to say he was a funny man who squinted at life withjaundiced eyes, and leave it at that. But he was so much more," hesaid. "His gift for dark humor, sarcasm, and for wielding a bitingcartoonist' pen masked a warm, gentle and giving spirit. For thoseof us privileged to have shared his life, he will be missed,terribly."

Rick Gilman, a former NU reporter who is now vice president ofcommunications at ACORD, said that "despite his sometimes bitingsense of humor, Tom was a gentle, caring man with a kind heart anda sweet spirit. He will be sorely missed by the hundreds of peoplehe touched throughout his career. I count myself lucky to be amongthem."

Jack Appleman--a fellow editor at Modern Grocer before I joinedNU, now a business writing coach who worked with Tom after Iintroduced the two--cited our friend's uncommon selflessness in thedog-eat-dog world of freelancing.

"Throughout my career--especially as an insurance communicationspecialist--Tom was one of the first people I turned to when Ineeded leads, resources or advice, and he always responded quicklywith a lot more information than I could've expected, including hiswell-thought-out advice and unique perspective on the world," Jackrecalled. "Tom genuinely enjoyed helping people and got so muchpleasure from the success of others."

When I posted my "Ode To John Cosgrove," another former NUeditor, Tom Maher noted that "while we mourn those who have passedon, we especially remember those who left us laughing." He couldjust as easily have been talking about himself.