Archibald
de la Cruz, New York Brother N°51, 3 GHM, aka Rene Fiechter
has joined many of his Brothers on a most serene sea to eternity.
Rene, if not the founder of the U.S. Brotherhood of the Coast, was
the father. An oxymoron perhaps, but you will see that there is
more truth to this statement than meets the eye.
At a time when its existence was dubious, Rene was designated Captain
of the New York Table at a meeting he did not even attend. He sent
emissaries around the world to affirm that the U.S. Brotherhood
was alive and well. He proceeded in establishing new tables in Texas,
Florida, Charleston, Savannah, Bellingham and Michigan. As if this
was not enough, in 1986 Rene organized the first world Zafarrancho
right here in New York where Brothers and Captives came in large
numbers from all over the world to celebrate the U.S. Centennial
at the Statue of Liberty. He became U.S. National Captain and in
1997 International Look-Out. One of Rene’s obsessions was the coordination
of the world Brotherhoods and was a member of the Council of 5 established
in 1990. In 1996 he organized the All America Zafarrancho with the
purpose to better relations between North and South America. This
wonderful Zaf was held on board the Star Flyer and took Brothers
on a pilgrimage to Haiti, which included a stop on the Island of
Tortuga. It must be noted that the All America Zaf was no easy task.
It was learned after all returned safely that Rene had mortgaged
his house in order to post the bond which guaranteed our Brothers
safe passage.
So you see I am not exaggerating, Rene is truly the father of the
U.S. Brotherhood of the Coast. Had it not been for him I probably
would not be writing this eulogy here today.
Orza Rene fair winds!
Rascal
Rene’s
story would not be complete without the telling of the little vignettes
that made him so special. One of those vignettes is special to me as it
happened one summer while I was an Engage.
My Captive Theo and I had sailed east from our home in Connecticut and decided
to stop in Cuttyhunk, a small island at the entrance of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.
Not having available moorings inside the harbor we came out and dropped
anchor by the entrance of the channel for the night. We planned to wait
until the next day and take a mooring after the occupants vacated. We had
settled on our anchor and had just opened a bottle of wine when we spotted
Arcadia, Rene’s sailboat heading for the channel. I looked at Theo and said
let’s keep an eye out he will be coming back out soon. A half hour passes
and then one hour, but Arcadia did not come out of the anchorage. Theo and
I looked at each other and decided to get in the dingy to see what had happened
to Rene. It turned out that he had dropped anchor in the middle of the mooring
field at the discontent of the adjacent boats and the Harbor Master. Needless
to say, Rene eventually worked it out with the Harbor Master and invited
us on board for a glass of wine, This was the evening that I met Toni Mattarucco
and Marina. There where two other Brothers whose names I do not remember,
but the eight of us had a wonderful dinner and partied to the wee hours
without incident.
Rene had many qualities, but the one that stands out the most in my mind
is that he was like a big bird. He would take you under his wing and nurture
and protect you. I did not always agree with him, but I always felt his
warmth and protection, and I consider myself very lucky to have known him
and to have been mentored by him.
®
René Fiechter