It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Tim Cuprisin, OnMilwaukee.com's media columnist.

Tim died Wednesday morning after a short but valiant fight with melanoma.

Cuprisin joined OnMilwaukee.com in 2009 after many years with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His sense of unbiased, journalistic integrity served a model for our team of young and veteran journalists. In our brief time with Tim, he impacted all of us greatly with his professionalism, sense of humor and eagerness to embrace new media.

The Chicago native lit up the OnMilwaukee.com editorial office with his quick wit and a sobering dose of reality when needed. Even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he continued to write his daily columns and attend meetings. He said that writing gave him hope – something he didn't abandon until the end.

He wasn't the kind of guy who liked being the focus of attention. He preferred to be on the other end of the interview, which is why we'll keep this most painful obituary short. We are announcing, however, the dedication of the editorial office as the "Tim Cuprisin Memorial Newsroom." We hope he would chuckle at that tribute to a good man and a great colleague.

Tim is survived by his partner, Sharon Boeldt.

Our company will move forward, but Tim can never be replaced. Our hearts are heavy today. Every one of us sends our deepest condolences to his family on this most difficult of days.