Fairport Harbor ceremony offered nice tribute to resident who died in Edmund Fitzgerald wreck | Editorial
The tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald remains one of the most infamous maritime disasters in North American history, a legacy immortalized by Gordon Lightfoot’s poignant ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Released in 1976, the song tells the harrowing tale of the freighter that sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, during a fierce winter storm characterized by hurricane-force winds and towering waves. This disaster claimed the lives of all 29 crew members aboard, and while Lightfoot’s song has brought widespread attention to the event, it often leaves the personal stories of the crew members in the shadows. Recently, a memorial event held in Fairport Harbor Village on the 50th anniversary of the sinking aimed to shed light on these individuals, particularly Edward Bindon, a local resident who was the ship’s first assistant engineer.
The memorial ceremony, organized by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society, drew a standing-room-only crowd eager to honor the crew and share memories of Bindon. At the event, attendees were treated to personal anecdotes from Bindon’s nieces, Fran Gabor and Debbie Kunsman, who fondly remembered their uncle’s larger-than-life personality and his generous spirit, particularly during family celebrations. Gabor recounted how Bindon, affectionately known as “Uncle Eddie,” would bring joy to family gatherings, embodying the spirit of Santa Claus during Christmas. She also shared a poignant story about a diamond ring he had purchased for his wife, Helen, to commemorate their upcoming 25th wedding anniversary. Bindon had entrusted the ring to a friend for safekeeping, perhaps sensing the impending doom of his final voyage. The emotional moment when the ring was presented to Helen after the tragedy left a lasting impression on the family, highlighting the personal loss that accompanied the disaster.
The Fairport Harbor Historical Society’s initiative to hold such memorial programs is crucial in keeping the memory of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew alive. By sharing heartfelt stories and personal connections, the community not only honors the memory of those lost but also fosters a deeper understanding of the human experiences behind the names listed in casualty reports. The event served as a reminder of the importance of remembrance, as attendees reflected on the lives of the 29 men who perished that fateful night. As Gabor poignantly noted, “The Gales of November had their way with the Edmund Fitzgerald,” but through such commemorative efforts, the legacy of those aboard the ship continues to resonate, ensuring they are remembered not just as names on a list, but as cherished individuals with rich histories and personal stories.
The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald likely has become the most widely known shipwreck in North America, thanks to singer Gordon Lightfoot.
It was in 1976 when Lightfoot released “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Lightfoot wrote and sang the ballad, which is essentially a story about the shipwreck that claimed the lives of all 29 crew members.
The Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975, during an early winter storm complete with hurricane force winds and dangerously high waves.
Lightfoot’s song includes several general references to the vessel’s roster of workers. For example, he mentions “a crew and good captain well seasoned.”
Over the past 50 years, the names of all 29 men who perished in the Fitzgerald tragedy have been published numerous times in online posts and printed publications. But even after hearing Lightfoot’s iconic song or reading the Fitzgerald casualty list, many folks never find out much personal information about the deceased crew members.
So it’s always great when local organizations hold memorial programs about the Fitzgerald, aimed at remembering former residents who died during the tragedy. In fact, this kind of event was held in Fairport Harbor Village on Nov. 10, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Fitzgerald sinking.
Fairport Harbor Historical Society
sponsored the ceremony,
which took place at Fairport Harbor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7554.
A standing-room only crowd assembled in a meeting room to recall the shipwreck, honor its entire crew and learn more about Edward Bindon, a Fairport Harbor resident who was aboard the Fitzgerald on its last trip.
Bindon, whose career on Great Lakes freighters spanned 25 years, worked as the ship’s first assistant engineer. He was 47 years old when the vessel sank.
A framed, black-and-white photo of Bindon sat on a table that featured other Fitzgerald pictures and artifacts that are normally displayed at the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum, located at 129 Second St. in the village.
More memories of Bindon were shared at the event by two of his nieces — sisters Fran Gabor of Madison and Debbie Kunsman of Wickliffe.
Gabor said she and her siblings have vivid recollections of Bindon — they called him Uncle Eddie — arriving home from periods that he worked about Great Lakes freighters, only to have to leave again.
“But the time we spent with him, are times that made us smile and laugh, even today,” she said.
Gabor said her Uncle Eddie made Christmas a very special time for children in the family.
“Money seemed like no object when it came to gift giving to us kids,” she said. “He was our Santa Claus.”
Gabor said Uncle Eddie also had a great talent for imitating the voice of Donald Duck — and would do it “at the most inappropriate times.”
“I recall that as a young woman, I was trying to have a conversation with him about my getting married,” she said. “And all the while, he was talking to me like Donald Duck.”
Gabor also provided her version of a story about Bindon that “has been twisted and turned” many times over the past 50 years.
She confirmed that prior to the Fitzgerald’s ill-fated voyage, Bindon purchased a 2-carat diamond ring for his wife Helen, to mark what would have been their 25th wedding anniversary.
“He made arrangements with a friend, whose name I do not recall, to keep the ring for him until he returned because he didn’t want to take it on the Fitz,” she said. “Perhaps it was an omen.”
After the Fitzgerald sank, Bindon’s friend contacted Helen’s brother, Julius Majoros, and made arrangements to meet and give him the ring.
“The family was gathered in Helen’s kitchen when Uncle Julius came in with the ring and presented it to her,” Gabor said. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. And I can tell you personally, that was one of the saddest moments I’ve ever experienced.”
Fifty years ago, Bindon was just a man who wanted to finish out his time on the Fitzgerald and enjoy retirement, Gabor said.
“But on Nov. 10, 1975, the Gales of November had their way with the Edmund Fitzgerald,” she said. “And the 29 souls aboard all made their final journey home.”
So the audience at the ceremony got to hear a mixture of humorous and heartbreaking memories about Bindon, and those who looked at his picture now can visualize a face when they see his name appearing on lists of the 29 Fitzgerald shipwreck victims.
Programs like the one sponsored on Nov. 10 by Fairport Harbor Historical Society help communities pay tribute to former residents who went down with the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975.
The society deserves to be saluted for putting together an interesting and informative program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fitizgerald shipwreck. We believe that this ceremony provided a memorable experience for everyone who attended.
