Elks Lodge honors ‘Mr. Dunkirk’

Every year, on the first Sunday in December, The Grand Lodge decrees that every Elks Lodge hold a Lodge Of Sorrows Memorial Ceremony.

It's a somber and respectful honoring of all Elks Lodge members who have departed in the past year and been accepted into The Supreme Grand Lodge On High for eternity.

This year, the first Sunday of December fell on the Sunday following Thanksgiving, which, of course, is not always the case.

It's fitting that we just gave thanks for all of our blessings and then followed it with a ceremony of remembrance for those we are absolutely thankful to have had in our lives.

One such, we remembered this year was a guy known by many as Mr. Dunkirk.

Leo Glogas.

In all of my travels, over many years, one thing I could always count on when I returned home was Leo.

This guy was always a warm and welcoming spokesman for our hometown and our local Elks Lodge.

He's one of the primary reasons I joined The Elks in Dunkirk as a member.

I've encountered many people in my life.

Here's one who held the distinction of being one of those people that you'll never hear one bad thing about, from anyone.

An impeccable man of true character and decency.

As a youth, I admired him.

As an adult, I respected him.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I loved him.

He always took that extra minute to stop, drop what he was doing, genuinely talk to me and thank me for  op-ed pieces and letters I've published in papers over the years.

He would sometimes say, "Now I didn't necessarily agree with that one, but I really enjoyed reading it.”

He was such a breath of fresh air, a man who actually enjoyed a different opinion and thanked me for writing it.

I'll miss our talks.

I'll miss having his lovely daughter take an article to him, just because I think he'd get a kick out of it.

Most importantly, I’ll miss Leo.

He taught me how to dress impeccably, how a proper suit jacket should fit.

I only regret that I didn't have him teach me the proper way to tie one of my infernal bow ties.

Dunkirk never had a better spokesman.

Goodbye, Leo.

An entire community mourns your loss, especially this feeble writer who you always took the time to thank.

You'll never be forgotten, and always remembered with warmth and love.