annual observance – 50 (what???) years ago this year

I believe I mentioned somewhere along the way that some of my early aptitude tests indicated I’d fit being a navigator on a Great Lakes freighter. One of my grand-uncles was a lakes ship captain and an uncle was in the US Navy in WWII so perhaps there was a bit of sailor in me. If so, that has long since dissipated.

Still, my roots are in Michigan and there’s no avoiding the lakes’ influence on me. Nor do I wish to avoid it.

Gordon Lightfoot died in 2023. The bells at the Old Mariners Church rang 30 times when he died.

The 1842 Anglican church sits off Jefferson Ave at the mouth of the tunnel (head of Randolph St) about 500ft or so from the river. The annual ring for the Fitz ended in 2006 but the church will once again honor the tragedy this year: “The bell will ring once more. The city of Detroit and beyond will be invited to participate in this worship service, pausing in their work day, to remember and reflect on the day of the 50th anniversary.“