This is a post I made on the death of Ski to my discussion groups on Spetember 20, 2001.
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To All
I received a note today that Ski the Clown has passed on due to his prostate cancer. When the word came I gathered my family around and advised them that the Ski the Clown is gone and we all shed a tear together. Mariko my 7 year old daughter said that she would learn to be a Clown. Daniel commented that he gave us all red noses.
Here is what I wrote when we returned from our trip Across America this last summer.
This is his story.
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 CLOWN of CLOWNS Love, Laughter and Tears
There he is, this Clown of Clowns sitting by his door, in his wheel chair, waiting for my family (Michiko - my wife, Daniel - son age 9, Mariko - daughter age 6 and I) to arrive. It was obvious that he was suffering the ravages of this disease we call prostate cancer. He was diagnosed 1n 1997, at age 57, with a PSA of 149.6 and metastases in his spine, ribs and pelvic area. He has undergone all of the available treatments and now he is on morphine to keep the pain away until he crosses over.
We were greeted with a smile and the first thing he did was to make sure that all of us had the trademark of his and many other clowns - a red nose and we were delighted to have them. He tells me he will be buried with his red nose and he has directed that all of the people attending his funeral will be given a red nose to wear during the services. He has 600 on hand. He has said "I have no fear of dying, I would just rather not be there when it happens."
But lets step back a little and let me tell you his story, the story of Don Berkoski, better known as "Ski" the "Tramp" Clown.
In 1982 while visiting a prison, sharing his life as a Christian Businessman, the idea came to him that if he became a Clown he could visit prisons, hospitals and health care facilities and bring joy to all. He researched, found and attended a professional training course for clowns.
But this was not enough! It was only a small beginning!
He has since trained 5000 Clowns to share his mission of happiness, laughter and good will. He has not charged for these courses but has done them free with the only caveat that each of the people he has trained would give at least one performance a month, free to those prisons, hospitals and health care facilities that he wanted to bring laughter too. He has multiplied himself 5000 strong and they will carry forward his love of people, love of the Bible and the love of making people smile everywhere.
At the same time he has fathered 7 children, who also have acted as clowns, and his wife of 42 years, Ruby, joined him with the clown name of "Tadah". Together they have formed a non-profit organization to carry his work forward. One of the last things that "Ski" will accomplish before he departs from this world is the completion of a ten session Video training course for clowns. Here he has captured his training so that the "Smiles Unlimited, University Clown Ministry" with his wife as President and his daughter Pat Tuttle doing the administration duties, will continue his mission expanding it by the use of his video tapes to all the English speaking world.
If you would like additional information about his mission and the continuation of his laughter you can contact his daughter Pat, who has been a member of some of our lists, at pattipupp@home.com. I am sure that they would accept any tax deductible donation that you might care to give to help the family carry on the tradition of "Ski" the "Clown of Clowns" and his ministry and to spread cheer to those who need it the most.
Truly he has made a contribution, truly he has changed and enlightened many, and truly he has brought smiles to millions through his appearances and the appearances of the 5000 clowns he has trained. Truly he will be missed when he has gone and will be remembered by many. Every time I see a red nose my thoughts will return to "Ski", his mission and the man setting in his wheel chair waiting for our entrance.
As "Ski" would sign off, so I will sign off!
Love, Laughter and Tears
Don Cooley
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Diet, Vitamins, Supplements
Drug Interaction - Dangers
The Median Isn't The Message
The Battle - Personal Stories
Prostate-Help Web Sites.
PHID Items of Interest
