L-R: Nils and Kathy Isaksen, and Dave and Claudia Mitchell unveil the photograph of the late Al Benac, Fairhaven’s Town Curator, in the Fairhaven Town Hall auditorium on Wednesday, 5/16/18. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Friends and family of Al Benac were joined by Fairhaven town employees and members of the public for the dedication of a portrait photograph of Mr. Benac that will be displayed in the town hall auditorium. On Wednesday, 5/16, a group of about 35 attended the unveiling of the photo taken by Henry “Hank” Gaitlin, that shows a very serious-looking Albert F. Benac. Mr. Benac died on 2/1/18, at 90.
Everyone needs a “presidential photograph,” said Cathy Delano, who organized the event with Martha Berg, Eleanor Crowell, and others who worked with Mr. Benac on a variety of committees and projects.
The photo was taken by Mr. Gaitlin on a hot summer day, when Mr. Benac had gone to the framing and photography shop for work on a photo. Mr. Gaitlin, who was so emotional that he frequently had to stop talking to compose himself, got help telling his story from others who jumped in to fill in some blanks. He said that he worked on many of Mr. Benac’s projects over the years, and it was clear that he had become very fond of Fairhaven’s well known Town Curator.
Michael Pietragalla, of Floating Stone Woodworks, also recalled restoring many pieces for Mr. Benac, including antique furniture and a 100-year-old frame.
The two men both worked on the frame for Mr. Benac’s portrait. At first, Mr. Pietragalla was going to build a frame, but he was afraid he did not have enough time. Mr. Gaitlin then found an old frame that needed some TLC that Mr. Pietragalla provided. It was a fitting solution, given Mr. Benac’s passion for reusing the old.
Ms. Berg said that after Mr. Benac had died, they were at Mr. Gaitlin’s shop and he showed them the photo.
“It took our breath away,” said Ms. Berg, adding it was the last one in a series of photos that day.
Mr. Gaitlin confirmed that it was the last photo he took and that Mr. Benac was tiring of the exercise.
It was a day with beautiful natural light going into his shop, he said, and he asked Mr. Benac if he would sit for a portrait photo.
“Al was special to me,” said Mr. Gaitlin, adding it was hot that day, and Mr. Benac was clearly getting restless.
“He was done,” said Mr. Gaitlin, who said “just one more.”
“He looked at me and I took it.”
Friends and family gather at Fairhaven Town Hall on 5/16/18 to unveil a photograph the late Al Benac, Fairhaven’s Town Curator, that will hang in town hall. Photo by Beth David.
soft-spoken gentleman who addressed everyone with respect, even when he was angry about something, Mr. Benac was remembered for also being tenacious when he saw something that needed to get done.
A program book listed the many acquisitions that Mr. Benac made for the town as curator, and the gifts he gave out of his own pocket. From old photos, to antique furniture, etchings and paintings by the town’s famous, and lesser known, artists, the list is huge. Mr. Benac also erected several memorials around town, and restored or replaced others.
He was so concerned that the extensive works of Lemuel D. Eldred and his connection to Fairhaven would be forgotten, that he self-published a book about the famous Fairhaven artist.
“Once something captured his focus, he was all in,” said Ms. Delano.
Enrique “Ricky” Goytizolo, an antiques dealer who volunteered with Mr. Benac on the Fairhaven Historical Society, said his relationship with Mr. Benac was “enlightening for both of us.”
He said they worked together to reorganize the displays at the museum in the Academy building, exchanged knowledge and debated issues.
“And most of all, we enjoyed a mutual respect for the common purpose of promoting Fairhaven’s past, as a foundation for the future,” said Mr. Goytizolo, adding that Mr. Benac leaves a “wonderful legacy” that everyone will benefit from now and in the future. “He found a worthy purpose in being an activist for historic preservation and he did so with grace and positive persistence.”
Mr. Pietragalla echoed that persistence, saying Mr. Benac was a “bulldog” for the town.
“I was happy he picked me to do that,” he said of restoring an antique frame. “Because, as you all know, he was very picky.”
Several people told Al stories, including family members, neighbors, and acquaintances.
“He was such a sweetheart,” said Vanessa Gralton, who leads walking tours at Riverside Cemetery for the Fairhaven Office of Tourism.
She said Al went along the first few times to make sure she did not forget anything.
Donald Tucker said he wanted everyone to remember that Mr. Benac was a veteran of both WWII and Korea.
A woman who said she grew up next door, said that she was happy her son spent time with Mr. Benac at the Old Stone Schoolhouse, learning about history. She said she enjoyed spending more time with him after her own father died.
He taught a few how to tell the difference between antique glass and junk glass at yard sales, they said.
One neighbor said Al was so intent on saving Fairhaven’s history that he would dig through her trash, and even a dumpster when she was renovating her house. She would yell at him, but to no avail.
“I ended up having to report him to his daughter,” she said.
“He was my best friend,” said Al’s son-in-law Nils Isaksen with a crack in his voice. “He was a good man.”
Kathy Isaksen, Al Benac’s daughter, enjoys a laugh at the unveiling of a photo of her father that will hang in Fairahven town hall, 5/16/18. Photos by Beth David.
Before the unveiling, Kathy Isaksen, Al’s daughter, said she had “mixed emotions” because the event was on his birthday, the first birthday without him, but the event itself was a happy occasion.
“I’m so overwhelmed by the generosity shown by everyone,” said Ms. Isaksen. “I just wish he could be here to see it.”
She said she was surprised how many people he knew.
“You know you love your dad, but when other people love him, too, it just shows how he was special in more ways than one,” she said.
“It’s overwhelming, the generosity,” echoed Claudia Mitchell, who is also Al’s daughter. “It’s just amazing. And the stories people have told us.”
Ms. Mitchell said it showed a whole other side of her father.
“We got to know different things and different people,” said Ms. Mitchell. “It’s just amazing.”
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