Tag Archives: Lobsterman
Lobster Fisherman Dexter C. Bray, Sr., “Old Man” of Stonington, Maine has passed away
Dexter C. Bray Sr., “Old Man,” born Nov. 15, 1957, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Aug. 23, at age 66. Dexter attended grammar school in Stonington. He was among the first class to graduate from Deer Isle/Stonington High School in 1976. He was a lobstah fisherman most of his life and was very proud of it. He loved being on the water, hunting, socializing, aggravating family and friends, playing bingo, drinking Dunkin’ coffee, watching reality shows, and going out to eat. He also enjoyed morning coffee with his buddies at the co-op. He was a member of Odd Fellows for many years. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:24
Lobsterman Todd O. Keyes, 57, of Lewiston has passed away
Todd O. Keyes, 57, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 5, 2024, after a period of declining health. Todd was born in Rockland on July 25, 1967, to Sumner and Alberta (Spear) Keyes. Todd grew up in Cushing and attended local schools, graduating from Georges Valley High School in 1986. After graduation, Todd went into the workforce and worked at North End Marine in Rockland and dug clams. He later became a lobsterman, working on the stern of the F/V Jessie Jane alongside captain Richard Olson for many years before his unfortunate accident in 2009 left him confined to a wheelchair for his remaining years. Todd was an avid outdoorsman and greatly enjoyed fishing and hunting. As a child he loved to hunt rabbits, as an adult he was always hunting deer and even once got a bear. Todd will always be remembered for his love of the great outdoors. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:36
Meet One of Maine’s Youngest Lobstermen
A month after Tommy was born, his parents strapped him into a car seat and began bringing him on Seth’s lobsterboat,Irish Lady. “He’s always gone with me,” Seth said. “I did the same with my grandfather and father.” As he grew older, Tommy took to the work intuitively. He was banding lobster claws by age two and has helped steer the boat since he could walk, standing first on a bait barrel, then on a five-gallon bucket, and now on a milk crate. As soon as he was eligible, at age 8, he received a lobstering license entitling him to 10 traps; shortly after, his parents bought him his own boat. Today, he’s one of 84 licensed lobstermen aged 10 and under, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:47
Lobster Boat Capt. Jeffrey W. Johnson, of Truro, Dies at 67
Lobster boat Capt. Jeffrey Walter Johnson of Truro died at home on Jan. 19, 2024 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 67. The son of Walter and Rhoda Johnson, Jeff was born on June 8, 1956 in Brockton. His father, an accountant, moved the family to Bridgewater, where Jeff grew up in a close-knit neighborhood. His father died when Jeff was nine, and the local dads rallied around him to buffer his loss, said Jo Johnson, Jeff’s former wife. Jeff had learned lobstering from Jo’s father, Edgar Francis, on the Pinkie, becoming first mate. But it was on his father-in-law’s lobster boat, the F/V Annie L, that he found his calling. He was fearless. When Hurricane Bob hit in 1991, he and Edgar chose to ride out the storm at sea instead of tying the boat down in the harbor. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:05
Lobsterman catches 3rd rare orange lobster in a week
A lobsterman working out of Portland caught his third rare orange lobster in a week on Thursday. Capt. Peter Pray showed up at Harbor Fish Market with another orange lobster, after catching two last Friday, according to CBS 13. Pray reportedly used the same trap he used to catch the first two. Pray caught the lobster using the same trap that he used to catch the first two. Photos, video, >click to read< 09:05
Navy Veteran, Commercial Fisherman Thomas Lee Mackie of South Thomaston has passed away
Thomas Lee Mackie, 74, passed away on November 18, 2022, at his home. He was born in Rockland on November 26, 1947, the youngest child of Lawrence and Doris (Eaton) Mackie. In May of 1967, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy. He was initially assigned to the USS T. J. Gary, a destroyer escort. In the spring of 1970, he attended River Patrol Craft Training in California, and then was deployed to Vietnam where he served in River Patrol Force Flotilla Five as both a Boat Engineer and Boat Captain. After his service in the Navy, Tom continued to make his living on the water. He dragged for scallops out of New Bedford, Massachusetts for many years, netted elvers each spring, and was also a successful lobsterman aboard his boat, the River Rat. >click to read< 12:36
Fifth-generation fisherman Edward Mark Muise of Sullivan, Maine has passed away
Edward Mark Muise, 47, of Sullivan passed away at Houlton Regional Hospital with his mother and stepfather at his side. Ed was born in Ellsworth, son of Patricia and Edward. He went to school at Sumner Memorial High but claimed to graduate from “The School of Hard Knocks.” He loved the ocean and was proud being a fifth-generation fisherman. He first started fishing out of Tidal Falls as a sternman with Uncle Ronnie as a young teen. He was a sternman on several other boats then became the captain of Devil’s Delight and Pirate’s Penny. >click to read< 16:10
Keeping It Simple on the Water, Hauling Traps and Filling Pots
“Things were much simpler in the ‘50s or ‘60s out here,” Mr. Iacono said as he piloted Freedom, the 35-foot lobster boat he has been sailing for 42 years, past the modest working boats and glossy pleasure yachts on the way toward Vineyard Sound. The lobstering industry has changed dramatically since Mr. Iacono first began hauling traps and filling pots, and so has the technology. “When I started, we had wooden traps,” Mr. Iacono said as he hauled out a wire trap off the coast of Aquinnah, two writhing lobsters inside. “They were made of oak and they would always be so heavy because the wood would soak up the seawater.” Now, Mr. Iacono’s boat is decked out with radar, GPS and a fish finder that uses sonar to map the ocean floor and help lobstermen decide where to drop their traps. How did they manage before the tech? Photos, >click to read< 09:00
WWII Veteran, Commercial Fisherman Stanley J. Dykovitz of Southampton has passed away
Born on Christmas Eve 1921 to parents Stanley and Sophie Dykovitz, Stanley was raised in East Marion. He graduated from Greenport High School and liked to tell people he attended “Corn Cob College.” He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran and could vividly recall stories of his time in the Seabees during World War II (or as he called it, “The Big One”). He was a commercial lobsterman on his boat, the F/V Hazel E out of Montauk. He transitioned to conch fishing on the F/V Miss Stephanie in the Peconic Bay, though he was always a lobsterman at heart. >click to read< 16:43
‘The Lobster Trap’
You’d never know it to meet McCarthy, an unassuming, soft-spoken man who goes to work in a T-shirt and waterproof oilskins but he is, at 32, among the most successful lobstermen in a place where lobster is king. On this remote and rocky island, 15 miles offshore, virtually everyone from the grocery clerk to the family doctor traces their living back to the tanks full of lobster that these boats haul into port each day.,,, In the next decade, regulators will demand that lobstermen like him, who fish in federal waters, switch to a brand-new type of gear that minimizes risk for whales, by eliminating vertical ropes that can ensnare them. >click to read< 08:24
Lobsterman who died in apparent drowning remembered as fixture on the Plymouth waterfront
Michael Furlong was a fixture on Town Pier, a longstanding member of the harbor community who was always on the lookout to help others. “He was definitely a character figure on the pier and among the harbormasters. Everybody knew him,” Harbormaster Chad Hunter said of Furlong,,, “He was a really nice guy who loved to talk to everybody. One of those guys that got along with just about everyone on the pier, who was always looking out for other people,”, >click to read< 09:43
Commercial Lobsterman Michael Furlong, of Kingston, MA, has died unexpectedly at sea
Michael Furlong, age 65, of Kingston, MA died unexpectedly at sea on November 14, 2021 in Plymouth, MA. He was the husband of Dina (Brock) Furlong for 32 years. Michael was a beloved son of Rose and the late Edward Furlong. He was brother to Rickard Furlong. He was raised in Easton, MA and graduated from Oliver Ames High School. He was a self-employed commercial lobsterman/crabber for over 50 years. F/V Rose Marie lost her captain to the sea. There is a photo gallery of Michael with beautiful his family. >click to read< 15:04
Lobsterman Paul T. Farrin of South Bristol has passed away
Paul T. Farrin, 85, of South Bristol, died peacefully at home on his birthday, Sept. 5, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Born on Sept. 5, 1936, in Damariscotta, he was the son of Afton and Annie May Farrin. At the age of 15, he began his long career as a lobsterman off the coast of South Bristol, retiring in 1986. During that time, he caught a lot of his own bait and built his own wooden traps each winter. He spent 13 years seining/trapping mackerel and herring with his brothers. He went shrimping with his brother David many winters, fished for crabs in the Damariscotta River, and rarely missed a season dragging for scallops. He was also one of the founding members of the South Bristol Fisherman’s Co-op, serving as the first president in 1972. Paul had a wonderful and active life. He loved the outdoors and spent more time outside, than inside. >click to read< 22:31
A Day in the Life of Maine Lobsterman, Mike Sargent, in his own words.
“A lot of people think it’s like Deadliest Catch,” Mike Sargent says with a laugh. But his days are very different from the high-stakes drama of a reality show. Learn about what it takes to bring lobster from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to your plate with a day in the life of Sargent, in his own words. 3 am: I’ll get up and check the weather forecast. I’ll check the marine buoy data, see if there’s any inclement weather coming or going. If we’re all good to go, I will message my crew, say, “Yep, we’re set to go today.” They’re usually up and at ’em anyway, so I have them on standby. And then, I pack my lunch and head to the wharf. 4 am: I meet my crew down at the wharf,,, >click to read< 16:41
Ronald R. Fatulli, Lobsterman/Businessman of Middletown, RI, has passed away – Worked seven days a week.
Ronnie was born and raised in New Bedford, MA to the late Raymond and Jennie (Salvati) Fatulli. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Alaska. When Ronnie returned home, he quickly found opportunities through his dedicated hard work. He bought a small lobster boat and sold sandwiches to the sailors at anchor on Navy ships stationed in Newport. In 1959, he founded the Aquidneck Lobster Company and soon grew from one small lobster market to becoming the largest East Coast wholesale distributor. The Bowen’s Wharf location became their foundation in 1965, then expanded further with the Coast Canning Company. Ronnie had an understated personality, and spoke loudly with his immeasurable work ethic. He worked seven days a week for his entire career. He was known for his tough love, and if he gave you a shot, he wanted you to succeed. >click to read< 15:15
Lobster fishing 101: Everything you wanted to know! From Setting Day to Fishers pay!
In early May, hundreds of Prince Edward Island fishing boats head out into the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to sink their traps and bring back lobsters,,, Jada Yeo has been a fisherman’s helper aboard her father David’s boat, Let Her Go, for the past six years, since she graduated from high school. Sheila Eastman has been North Lake’s harbour manager for 20 years, and is like a mother to most of the fishermen. In fact, her son, one of her brothers and other relatives fish out of North Lake. From Setting Day, lobster boats, sharing up, fishing areas, and terminology preferences such as fishers, fisherman, fisherwoman, with lots of photos!, >click to read< 13:12
Fishery advocate Robert E. Best Sr. of Belford N.J. commercial fisherman/lobsterman/dealer, has passed away
Robert E. Best Sr., 78, of Belford, passed away April 20, 2021. Robert was born Sept. 20, 1942, in Long Branch, a son of the late Madlyn (Truax) and Frederick Best Sr. He lived in the Bayshore area all his life. Bob proudly served his country in the early 1960s as a part of the U.S. Navy’s construction force, the Seabees. In 1975 he found his true calling and became an independent commercial fisherman/ lobsterman. He and his partner, Jack Baker, opened the Shoal Harbor Lobster Co. in 1975 and ran it for 45 years until Hurricane Sandy destroyed the building. Bob was an advocate for local fishermen and the fishing industry in New Jersey. He worked with marine fisheries and senators. He was also the fisherman responsible for bringing black fish into the New Jersey fish markets. >click to read< 08:36
Obituary: Nathan Fuller, World War II – Korean War Navy Veteran, Lobsterman has passed away
Nathan Fuller, 94, passed away peacefully at Pen Bay Medical Center, with family by his side. Born in St. George June 24, 1926, he was one of four children born to Seymour and Elvie Chaples Fuller. In 1942, Nate lied about his age and enlisted in the Navy. On Dec. 30, 1957, he married the love of his life, Thelma Alley, and they enjoyed 63 happy years together. The second love of his life was lobstering. During his lobstering career, he had seven lobster boats built, and on the day his last lobster boat was sold and picked up by the new owner, he offered to “buy it back” for a higher price. >click to read< 16:25
Obituary: Neil H. Brewer, of Freeman Twp, Maine, Commercial Fisherman
Neil “Pops” “Papa” Hugh Brewer, 71, of Freeman Twp., passed away April 25, 2021 at home with his family by his side after a long battle with cancer. He was born on June 27, 1949 a son of Carl “Bo” and Carrie Brewer in Boothbay Harbor. He attended school in Boothbay and became a commercial fisherman and a lobsterman after graduating high school. He worked many years on the boat side by side with his brothers and son, Keith. His heart was always on the water. He married Simone Cook on Nov. 6, 1971. In 1978 they moved to Freeman TWP on Cook Hill, where he lived the rest of his life. >click to read< 19:18
Lobsterman turned pageant winner to represent Maine in Las Vegas
A new Miss Maine For America Strong was crowned earlier this month. She’s from Hancock County, and will represent Maine in the National Miss America Strong pageant in November. But she’s not your typical pageant contestant. ”Heels are a new experience for me. I mean, I’ve got my boots on right now.” Until two months ago, entering a beauty pageant was the last thing on Patricia Schimpf’s mind. But then the sternman on the Fishing Vessel Victoria was recruited by Mrs. Maine Tashia Porter to enter the Miss Maine for America Strong pageant in Portland. >video, click to read< 13:14
Lobsterman: A day in the life
“Let Her Go” is oversized for Frenchtown’s small harbor, so Ledee bases her in Red Hook, where his day begins in darkness. Rising at 3 a.m., he packs hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, curried chicken for lunch and a cooler of drinks for himself and his mate, 19-year-old Kyle LaPlace. Lobsters and fish support him and his brother Gregory, who co-owns the business, as well as the men who crew with him, build the fish traps, survey and repair the boat and provide dock space. It’s a complete microeconomy. “Fishing has been good to me,” Ledee says. 18 photos, >click to read< 07:50
Obituary: Fred W. Bayley
Fred W. Bayley, 83, passed away on Feb. 26, 2021. Born on Nov. 17, 1937, Fred was the son of Russ and Bessie Bayley. Fred started clamming at the age of 7, lobstering by the age of 10. After lobstering, Fred went to Commercial Dragging for all types of fish and fished aboard the fishing vessels Kathleen M., Kathleen and Julie 11, and Kathleen and Julie 111. These were the state of the art high-liners on the East Coast. He owned various lobster boats, tuna boats and trawlers all of his life. Fred and Kathleen built and established the Bayley’s Campground in 1970, which became one of the largest camping resorts on the East Coast. Later on, they developed the Bayley Hill Deer and Elk Farm, with one of the finest herds in the country. >click to read< 08:55
Now that’s waterproof! Lobsterman fishes dropped iphone, still working, from the depths
Two weeks ago, Gloucester lobsterman Andrew Gossom was working on his boat, the F/V Sandollar, while it was tied up on the far side of the old Intershell building off St. Peter’s Square. The 26-year-old Gloucester native was talking on his iPhone 12. He had called Tony Gross, his former boss on the Sandollar,,, The iPhone 12 can do many things. Flying is not recommended. Gross, at home in Annisquam, heard two sounds. The first, while unusual, was unmistakable: The plop of something entering the water. >click to read< 11:27
Jeffrey A. Jones of Owls Head has passed away
Jeffrey A. Jones, 50, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, after a year long battle with cancer. He leaves behind his sons Benjamin and Carter and their mother, Anne Edmands of Owls Head. During his illness, he lived with and was cared for by his mother, Frances Stone Jones of Owls Head. His beloved circle of close friends were inspired by his loyalty, tenacity and perseverance and offered him great support. Jeff learned to fish for lobster at a young age with his grandfather on the Rolling Stone. He fished full time from Criehaven on Top Chop. >click to read< 14:41
Lobsters to be given away to Mainers in Need Christmas Eve
Nothing says Maine generosity quite like giving away lobsters to those in need. And on Christmas Eve, no less. Local lobsterman, Noah Ames, and his family have been giving away lobster to those in need in the past and now, in the dumpster fire that is 2020, they’re not stopping as the need for food assistance is greater than ever. >click to read< with a message and details from Noah Ames! Merry Christmas!
Late lobsterman Andrew Gove’s memoir published
Andrew Gove, a legend along the Maine coast, started writing down his stories more than a decade ago and kept up the work right up until he died at age 90 in June of 2020. Gove represents a disappearing Maine culture. In 1937 at age 7, he started lobstering and didn’t quit for 82 years. That hard-work ethic stemmed directly from his upbringing on Eagle Island, one that focused on family interdependence, self-sufficiency, trust and honesty — traits he exhibited throughout his entire life. >click to read< 08:01
Obituary: Rocky Winston Ross
Richmond – Rocky Winston Ross, 31, of 291 Front St., Richmond, Formerly Bath, passed away suddenly on October 31, 2020. He was born in Bath on March 2, 1989, son of Margaret Keenum and Gary Ross. He attended Bath schools and graduated from Morse High School. He spent many years as a lobsterman on Mattinicus Island and later off-shore with Shaft Master Lobster Co. He recently started his painting business, Perceptive Painting, as well as house flipping investments. He had an exceptional mind especially for business. He loved the art and details of making the next deal and his natural talent for this was remarkable. >click to read< 08:42
Michael G. Dearborn, Navy Veteran, Self-employed commercial lobster fisherman
Michael G. Dearborn, 76, of Gloucester, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 9, 2020. He continued to own and operate a lobster fishing business in Massachusetts for over 50 years. At the height of his career during the late 70s and early 80s, Michael was known as an innovator, pioneer, and industry leader. In addition to his experience on the water, Michael was an avid legislator, conservationist, and industry advocate. He served as a member of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, the Atlantic Lobstermen’s Co-Operative, and the MA Lobster Committee Management Team. Above all, Michael’s proudest accomplishment was that of being a father to his three children – Peter, Christopher, and Courtney – whom he loved dearly and spoke of in the highest regard. >click to read< 09:24
Captain forms bond with Red Eye the seagull he saved while out at sea – Its really a Love Story!
It can be a lonely job pulling lobster traps way out in the middle of the Gulf of Maine. But for 15 years, Captain John Makowsky had company, a faithful companion. In fact, he says maybe a little too faithful. “She comes right up to the window and looking at me this far away,” said Makowsky, as he puts his hand to his face and starts laughing. “Just staring at me.” Makowsky’s stalker “gull-friend,” who he named Red Eye, showed up one day in 2005 and basically never left, until a few months ago when Red Eye suffered a leg injury. He knew a seagull couldn’t live long like that. >Video, click to read<, and another story, with photos, >click here< 16:12
Flotilla honors Andy Gove with service at sea – Photo Gallery
Fishermen in 60 boats crowded with family and friends came to Stonington Harbor on July 12 from Searsport and Vinalhaven, North Haven and Isle au Haut, to pay tribute to Andy Gove, the man they called “uncle.” It was the first Sunday after the Fourth of July, a day usually set aside for the lobster boat races that Gove often won. The races had been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So Gove’s daughter Myrna Clifford suggested a boat parade to honor her dad, who had died on June 20. So on the day of the boat races, her mother, Rose, and family gathered on the deck of the Miss Katie, a powerful fishing vessel once owned by Gove and known up and down the coast as the former Uncle’s UFO. Photos, >click to read< 06:54
Lobstermen gather for foggy farewell to Andrew Gove – Dozens of lobster boats gathered off Greenhead on foggy Deer Island Thorofare Sunday morning to remember and pay tribute to “Uncle” Andrew Gove. A fisherman for 82 years, Gove retired from the sea last year at the age of 89 and died late last month at the age of 90. >click to read<
