Port Huron, MI 343

Port Huron, MI Lodge News

Veterans Corner #3

Faust Alexander Ciani, Jr. or better known as Mr. “C” enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1953. Alex was stationed in the Great Lakes.  While serving honorably, Alex and his shipmates from the Coast Guard, which is the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service.  Alex and his shipmate’s responsibilities included Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Aids to Navigation (ATON), Ice Breaking, Environmental Protection, Port Security and Military Readiness.  They we also responsible with maintaining and replacing navigational buoys. The United States Coast Guard uses buoy tenders to accomplish one of its primary missions of maintaining all United States aids to navigation.  Alex lived by the Coast Guard greed “Semper Paratus” which is a well-known motto of the Coast Guard and became the focal point of the service character.  Alex was a very religious and loyal man, as proof he graduated from Jesuit High School in 1953 with 41 classmates who would remain lifelong friends. He was an eternal optimist and loved people.  During his time in the Coast Guard, Alex met his lovely bride Beverly on a “Switch” blind date, while stationed in Port Huron and as they say, the rest is history.  Alex’s career in mechanical engineering in the adhesive tape industry took him and his family from homes in Michigan to Columbia, SC to Florida.  However, Alex never forgot his roots, always loyal and maintaining his membership in Port Huron Elks Lodge #343.  Alex was a 59-year member in good standing.  During that time, he was awarded the Honorary Lifetime membership and also served as our Exalted Ruler twice.  His first term was 1966-1967 and once again in 1971-1972.  Whenever Alex and Beverly returned to the Port Huron area, they always made time to meet and greet with their fellow Elk member at Lodge 343.  Sadly, Alex passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020 after a short but fierce battle with COVID-19 at the age of 85.  God Bless his soul he will be missed. Faust Alexander Ciani, Jr. PER – Elk Membership #5524