It will come as a surprise to many that the man we knew and revered as Ed Zeine was actually given the name Zenas Edward Zeine when he was born on Sept. 6, 1930 in Chillicothe, Illinois. After graduating from high school, Ed joined the US Navy and served honorably for 20 years until his discharge in 1967. During his service time, Ed made 23 round trips to Japan, two trips to South Korea and countless trips between Kodiak, Attu and Whittier. He spent three years in Japan as a hospital administrator, which led to his future career.
Ed married Elaine Blanco in 1974 and they came to Cordova in 1979 with their two pre-teen sons Pat and Brad. He arrived to serve as the hospital administrator and was instrumental in getting Cordova to the top of the list for a new hospital, which opened its doors in 1986. He retired from that position in 1990. Ed didn’t take too kindly to retirement and served three terms as mayor of Cordova and several stints as acting hospital administrator and as interim city manager. He also served many years on the Science Center board as well as on the PWS Aquaculture Corporation – chairing the latter for a few years.
Ed was active in the American Legion, Masonic Lodge and the Fraternal Orders of Moose, Elks and Eagles. He was an avid hunter, trapper and sport fisherman. He even dabbled in commercial fishing, having qualified for a halibut Individual Fishing Quota when those were first issued. He was an amazing cook and his barbecued salmon was legendary.
Wanting to share his love of sport fishing with the younger generation, Ed birthed the idea of developing a terminal fishery at Fleming Spit and collaborated with his dear friend and partner-in-crime Tom Kohler to make it a reality. Working with ADF&G and PWSAC, eggs were harvested from wild silver salmon, incubated and reared at Elmendorf Hatchery and brought back to Cordova to acclimate at Fleming Spit pond before being released to the wild.
The first return of the silver salmon three years later was a resounding success and an enormously popular terminal sport fishery was born. The following year Ed started a Kids’ Derby at Fleming Spit – headquarters was his trusty RV and Ed was the head receiver, weigher, chef and all-round good guy for the kids. Each kid got a prize as Ed’s silver tongue wangled gifts from donors for every kid that entered the derby. He even supplied fishing rods when necessary and taught many a tiny fisherman how to reel in a big silver.
Ed ran the Kids Derby for more than 20 years, bringing joy to young and old alike and placing Cordova on the map as a silver fishing destination of statewide renown. His contributions to Cordova, its kids and its businesses that are so dependent on salmon is legendary. His spirit will linger at Fleming Spit forever!
Ed and Elaine had a blended family of seven children: Carolyn Zeine of Arlington, Daniel Zeine of Auburn and Patrick Zeine of Langley; Eric Blanco of Los Angeles, Michael Blanco of Federal Way, Scott Blanco of Federal Way, and Bradley Blanco of Lake Tapps. Ed leaves behind his wife, children, sister Helen Pinkston, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He also leaves many very close friends in Cordova and beyond who will cherish his memory and remember the good times for many years to come.
Ed was laid to rest on March 18, 2019 with full military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.
A Celebration of Life will take place April 20 at the Cordova Center in Cordova, Alaska. Friends are invited to bring a favorite dish and a fond memory to share at 1 p.m.
