ROCKPORT, Maine — Part of the story of Dylan Meklin’s life was told Sunday in the scrolling display of photographs at his memorial service, pictures that always seemed to show the young mariner with a giant smile on his face.
The rest of the story, that of a 23-year-old who went down with the El Faro just days after he shipped out for his first-ever job at sea, was told through the tears and the memories of the more than five hundred people who came to bid him farewell.
Meklin, the third assistant engineer on the El Faro, was among the 33 crew members who lost their lives when the ship went down Oct. 1 off the Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin. It was the worst shipping disaster involving a U.S.-flagged vessel in more than 30 years.
“This is an overwhelming situation that’s been met with overwhelming support. The whole family appreciates it,” Todd Lewis, a family friend, told the crowd. “You were always glad to see Dylan come through the door. We all liked to think of him as ours.”
Instead of a casket, on display were flowers, flags and a blue anchor with the words “Meklin Strong” written on it. Meklin, a 2010 graduate of Rockland District High School and a 2015 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine was remembered as a larger-than-life person who always showed up to help his friends, family and community.
“He was someone you could count on,” said Keenan Eaton, his Maine Maritime Academy classmate and friend.
Eaton told the story of how Meklin helped him choose an engagement ring for his fiancee.
“I knew I couldn’t do it alone,” Eaton recalled. “I asked Dylan to come with me. Unlike some typical buddies, he didn’t tell me I was making a big mistake. We went to all the jewelry stores — Dylan was on a mission.”
After visiting three stores and looking at many rings, the two finally saw one that caught both their eyes, and they stared at it for awhile.
“After what seemed like forever, Dylan said, ‘I think this is the one,’” Eaton recalled, smiling. “Even though it was for my girlfriend.”
When he asked for Meklin’s help, his friend dropped everything to do so, he said.
“June 25th is going to be one of the happiest, toughest days of my life. The day I get married. Because one of the most important people in my life won’t be there,” Eaton told the crowd. “His spot as a groomsman will be open. No one can replace him.”
Also lost aboard the El Faro were 53-year-old Capt. Michael Davidson of Windham, a 1988 graduate of Maine Maritime; Michael Holland, 25, of Wilton, a 2012 graduate of Maine Maritime; and Danielle Randolph, 34, also of Rockland and a 2004 graduate of Maine Maritime. Another crew member, Mitchell Kuflik of Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Maine Maritime in 2011.
Meklin is survived by his parents, Karl and Elaine Meklin, his brother, Samuel Meklin, and his girlfriend, Jordan Dehlinger. They did not speak at the ceremony, but Lewis read some words from Dylan Meklin’s father.
“When I think back on Dylan’s life, I think about how full it was,” Karl Meklin wrote. “You are missed more than words can say. We will love you forever. And we will talk about this when we see you on the other side.”
After the ceremony, Meklin’s second cousin Cody Fish of Rockland said that the loss has been hard on everyone.
“He was a great athlete, a happy guy, smart, goofy,” he said. “It’s been an unreal process. Everybody has been affected by Dylan.”