A death in the family

Maybe it's the crazy hours or the teamwork required to cover a breaking story that forges such strong bonds. But a newsroom often takes on the characteristics of a family, though admittedly dysfunctional at times.

This weekend, a few women who used to work at the Star-News are in town for their annual reunion. Most of them left here more than 20 years ago, but they gather each year to celebrate a friendship that began with a shared passion for journalism.

A reunion of another sort will take place next week, this one tied to a sad occasion. Few in the Star-News newsroom today knew Joe Nesbitt, who retired as chief photographer before some of them were even born. He died Wednesday at age 90.

Those who did know him remember his dry wit, his sea-loving nature and his prowess with a camera - the kind that uses film and requires manual focusing.

Joe gave many years to the Star-News and to Wilmington, his photos chronicling news events around the community. He once photographed Mother Teresa, but he also covered the everyday happenings that were just as important to the lives of local residents.

He was proud of his naval service but humble about his role as a witness to history. One of only a handful of local Pearl Harbor survivors, he attended the annual commemoration aboard the Battleship North Carolina even as his body was failing him.

Joe's passing leaves only 10 local Pearl Harbor veterans. And a bare branch on the family tree.