Edward Kamuda
Edward Stephen Kamuda (November 10, 1939 – April 13, 2014) was an American
Kamuda first became interested in the Titanic disaster as a teenager, when he saw the 1953 film Titanic at his father's movie theater in Indian Orchard, Springfield, Massachusetts.[3] Later, when the film A Night to Remember played at the theater in 1958, he obtained the publicity package accompanying the film, which included a contact list of survivors.[3] Using the list, Kamuda began collecting their letters of first-person accounts and other donated memorabilia.
On July 7, 1963, he co-founded the
Kamuda and other members of the society served as consultants for the 1997 film, Titanic, directed by James Cameron.[1] Kamuda helped Cameron with the historical details of the set and story.[2] In return, Cameron cast Kamuda and his wife, society vice president Karen Kamuda, as extras in the film.[1][2] Before shooting their scene, James Cameron told the assembled Titanic cast and crew, "Because of these two people we are here today."[2] The director also introduced Kamuda to several actors, telling them, "Here's the man who made it all possible."[1] Ed and Karen Kamuda can be seen in the background on the ship's promenade while Leonardo DiCaprio (who plays Jack Dawson) teaches Kate Winslet (Rose DeWitt Bukater) how to spit.[2] Edward Kamuda, who was initially reluctant to appear onscreen in the film, later described the experience on set in a 1997 interview with The Republican, "To look at the books for 40 years and then to walk the decks of the ship - it was a dream come true."[2][1]
In 2012, Kamuda, on behalf of the Titanic Historical Society, presented the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, with the Titanic Centennial Memorial, a 10,000 pound, black granite monument to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disaster.[1][4] The Titanic Centennial Memorial, which was dedicated in the Oak Grove Cemetery, includes the names of two Springfield residents who died on the Titanic: Jane Carr, 47, a third class passenger and Milton C. Long, 29, a first class passenger and son of a Springfield mayor and judge.[1][4]
Ed Kamuda died from a long illness at his home on April 13, 2014, at the age of 74.[1] He was survived by his wife, Karen Kamuda. Kamuda is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield, Massachusetts.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Johnson, Patrick (2014-04-14). "Edward Kamuda, founder of Titanic Historical Society in Indian Orchard, dies at 74". The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts). Retrieved 2014-05-11.
- ^ Boston Globe. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
- ^ Saturday Evening Post. 292 (6): 48.
- ^ a b Kelly, Ray (2012-03-11). "Titanic Historical Society to unveil memorial in Springfield's Oak Grove Cemetery to honor victims on 100th anniversary of famed disaster". The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts). Retrieved 2014-05-11.
External links
- Edward Kamuda at IMDb