Steak for One

Old photographs like this are great but frustrating. Unlike a formal portrait or important event, photos like these capture the mundane business of everyday life.

Unfortunately, his identity is unknown. The photo was taken in 1939 somewhere in Wayne County, NC, probably Goldsboro.

I call him the “lonely bachelor”- steak for one, slumped shoulders, blank stare, and frayed tie. There is an aura of sadness and solitude to his existence but pictures can only capture a specific moment in time so his life as a whole is a mystery.

Update – 7/6/2018

The “lonely bachelor” has been identified. His name is Deward Malcolm Heath, born August 3, 1912 and died September 27, 2001. Mr. Heath was married to Eunice (b. 1917, d. 2005) and had children. He owned and operated Heath Grocery, located at 619 N. William St. in Goldsboro.