Skagway’s city hall and museum. (Greta Mart)
The Municipality of Skagway will honor resident Ed Fairbanks by placing his photo on the city’s hall of fame. Fairbanks passed away in his home in Skagway on December 11th at the age of 86. The businessman and civic leader owned Fairway Market.
At an assembly meeting Thursday, Mayor Monica Carlson gave a speech about his life and contributions to the community.
According to Carlson, Fairbanks took over his father’s grocery store after a career in engineering with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Carlson said his dedication helped provide essential goods to the community year round.
“The fact remains that Skagway has a grocery store because of Ed Fairbanks,” Carlson said. “His store did not make any money in the slow winter months. It lost money. Many businessmen would have cut their losses by closing down in the winter, but not Ed. He knew how hard it would be for the residents if he shut down the grocery store in town.”
Fairbanks served on Skagway’s City Council for nineteen years.
Carlson described Fairbanks as a fiscal conservative who believed the city should live within its means. However, she said this did not affect his own generosity and devotion to the community.
“One winter, at one point, there was not enough money in the bank for the city to make payroll for its employees. The bank called and asked what the city was going to do about it. Ed Fairbanks and Chris Rolph were both on the city council. They went into the bank, took out their checkbooks and wrote their own personal checks to cover the city’s shortfall. They were willing to literally cover Skagway’s debit with their own money.”
At times Carlson became emotional when describing Fairbanks’ character.
“He was honorable and good for his word. He was a kind man you wanted to have for your neighbor.”
Flags in Skagway will be flown at half-mast during a day of remembrance for Fairbanks, the date of which has yet to be determined.
