LUDLOW - Edward S. Kamuda, 74, President and Founder of the Titanic Historical Society in Indian Orchard, was Called Home to Titanic on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life at his home in Ludlow surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving wife, Karen, and his close friends. He was born in Ludlow on November 10, 1939, a son of the late Henry J. and Caroline A. (Belczyk) Kamuda. He was raised in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, graduated in 1957 from the High School of Commerce in Springfield and lived in Indian Orchard for many years before moving to Ludlow in 1992. Ed's lifelong passion for preserving the memory of Titanic began in junior high school when he read a short story, “A Great Ship Goes Down” by Hanson W. Baldwin. Soon after, the 1953 20th Century Fox film "Titanic" played at his grandfather's theater, The Grand on Main Street in Indian Orchard. Ed studied everything he could find about the Titanic and, in 1955, he read Walter Lord's best-seller, “A Night to Remember”. He corresponded regularly with Mr. Lord and so his life's work truly began by writing to all of the 87 survivors who were amazed that anyone would listen to their story. On July 7, 1963, along with a small group of individuals, Ed began an organization named the Titanic Enthusiasts of America. The remaining survivors of the Titanic disaster at that time agreed to become honorary members of the organization. Their mission was to preserve the history of the RMS Titanic, Olympic, Britannic and the White Star Line. Their early publication of the “Marconigram” was printed on a mimeograph four times a year. In 1975, the name of the organization was changed to the Titanic Historical Society, Inc. and the publication “Marconigram” was eventually changed to the “Titanic Commutator”. Over the years, the society grew to become one of the largest Titanic societies in the world with more than 4,000 members. The discovery of the wreck was realized on September 1, 1985 when Dr. Robert Ballard and his team of French and American scientists discovered the Titanic. Following the expedition, the “Titanic Commutator” featured four issues of exclusive underwater color photos of the wreck. During the 1986 expedition, the Titanic Historical Society placed a bronze marker on the wreck of the Titanic to commemorate the ship, the passengers, and the crew. In 1998, Ed came full circle with the Titanic story when he and his wife, Karen, appeared in the 20th Century Fox's second film “Titanic”. On the movie set, director James Cameron paid tribute to Ed's immense influence when he gathered the actors together to introduce "the man who made it all possible." Ed's last mission was the construction of the Titanic Centennial Memorial located at Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield, which was dedicated on April 21, 2012 for the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the ship. Through the Titanic Historical Society's combined activities worldwide, Ed succeeded his promise beyond his wildest dreams of preserving Titanic and sharing that history for future generations. Since 1963, with over 50 years of publications, an extensive collection of survivor memorabilia, and a multitude of personal documents, Ed opened the door to Titanic, introducing thousands of people to his passion. Titanic's legacy is now worldwide with people everywhere to carry on the work that Ed began. His enthusiastic legacy will continue for many generations to come. Ed leaves his wife and best friend, Karen B. (Bilsbury) Kamuda; his sister, Barbara Kamuda; his brothers, John Kamuda and his wife, Charlotte, and Alfred Kamuda and his wife, Gloria; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members; and many colleagues and friends worldwide. Friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Titanic Historical Society Memorial Service to take place at 7 p.m. The service will be conducted by Reverend George DeMass and Reverend Marcus Statler which will conclude the evening. Ed's Final Journey to Titanic will begin on Saturday morning, April 26, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. at the funeral home, to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass near the Titanic Centennial Memorial located at Oak Grove Cemetery, 426 Bay Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Titanic Historical Society Preservation Fund, PO Box 51053, Indian Orchard, MA 01151. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com
www.titanichistoricalsociety.org