This photo reminds me of Fred. Obviously, the hand’s firm grip on the rigging captures Fred’s immense inner strength, determination and fortitude. But beyond that, as the darkness creates a mood of mystery in the photo, I always found a bit of mystery in Fred Although we spent many hours together, (especially during the last year and a half) Fred didn’t speak much about his life. We mostly talked about cameras and gadgets. We shared our opinions on photography, both as a technical skill to be mastered and as an art form to soothe our souls, inflame our passions and inspire our thoughts. Much of Fred was a mystery to me.
We often talked about the importance of Fred’s work and our moral duty to preserve the past. His collection of ancient glass negatives allow us a visual connection and visceral contact with the past. I told him that what we do on GMG is much in the same vein. The tiny slices of time we post will, I fervently hope, be preserved so that 150 years from now people in Gloucester will have the same opportunity to travel backwards in time and pay us a digital visit.
Finally, this photo hides the subject’s face. In a sense we are all anonymous; we all hide our faces. The strengths, weaknesses and characteristics that shape us; that bundle of quirks and mannerisms, visions and quests that are the mold into which our bodies fit are what we are and are what we will remember when our loved ones pass away.
For the past several years, Fred and I attempted to locate a twelve foot high boulder that appears in one of his historic prints. We were able to piece together the approximate location from visual information in the photos and from handwritten notes that accompanied them. But, by the time we were ready to venture into the woods on foot to further our search, Fred’s declining health intervened and we never found the boulder.
This search was Fred’s idea, his adventure, his attempt to enter the old photo and be at the same place where it was created. It seems just too sad to pursue this exploration and journey without him. But the memory of the excitement it stirred in Fred will always be with me as will his friendship, wisdom and mystery.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Beautiful picture and stories and sentiment. I agree that the exploration to find the boulder will be sad without him, but maybe a group of GMGers and others who love and miss Fred could all go together, and some sort of token for Fred could be left there if we find it, might be a nice tribute for Fred.
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Great post Marty.. feels so weird knowing that Fred is no longer with us
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What happened?
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Sad to hear of Fred’s passing. He will be missed. I enjoyed his shop and the wonderful Gloucester historic prints. I know many of his negatives came from Renee Gross Nutbrown, another Iconic figure, who once owned Tragabizanda a shop above the rudder. I hope someone else will be able to continue his work.
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Thank Marty…I say my prayers tonight talk with him! This hurts!!
“You honored him here this is heartbreaking to me as Fred reached out to me with his wisdom and spirit I dedicate this too him! two dedications and poem! 😦 Dave & Kim 😦 God Bless you Fred)! Thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends! Your spirit lives on with us you have touched!
Now you belong to heaven lyrics – Mari Olsen
Poem
Jeong Ho-seung’s poem (7)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/08/181_185590.html
A Blind Couple Singing
Translated by Brother Anthony and Susan Hwang
Snow has fallen, night has fallen and we’ve lost our way.
Miles still to go and we’ve lost our way.
This winter night road, not even a snowman in sight,
nobody comes this way so we sing.
Only people going back from the world in the snow,
soothing the cries of the baby borne on the back,
miles still to go and it’s snowing hard.
To love what cannot be loved,
to forgive what cannot be forgiven,
we sing a song, waiting for a snowman.
We sing the song of all the waitings in the world.
The song turns into a path and outruns
the people walking along it in the snow, trembling in the dark;
the snowy path outruns them with no way of return.
Until beauty saves this world,
until from despair rejoicing comes by,
though it’s snowing hard and with miles still to go,
singing a song that loves indifference,
singing a song that waits for a snowman,
we’ve turned into this winter night road’s snowmen.
We’ve turned into snowmen that won’t melt, even come spring.
Readers are often puzzled to find no blind people in the poem. Instead, there is an echo of a well-known quotation from Dostoevsky, and a development of the theme of waiting hopefully for despair to turn into rejoicing, despair into hope.
“The people singing here are not individuals, not simply blind beggars, but everyone who is struggling with the challenges of life, and the song turns into a path, while we all turn into never-melting snowmen of hope.”
hcchung@koreatimes.co.kr,
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Thank you for posting this fine comment to our friend, Marty
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Thank you Marty. A poignant tribute full of Beauty for Fred.
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Marty ~ as alway your words are so so special to memories of times spent with a friend. Fred first posted his illness by telling us that he felt he had lost his paddle. Somewhere along the voyage he found the paddle but sadly the voyage continued on course. With courage, Fred did all he could as the bravest of seamen and Gloucesterman to Hold Fast.
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Marty, in just a few poetic words you simultaneously shed some light on Fred’s character and his “mysteriousness.” He was a good man. Thank you for sharing.
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