Tag Archives: Obituary
Commercial Fisherman James Alan Ruhle, Sr. of Wanchese, N.C. has passed away
The commercial fishing industry has lost one of its biggest advocates, James Alan Ruhle, Sr., at the age of 75. Twenty-one weeks to the hour after his bride, he set out for the last time on the morning of September 28, 2023. Born in Oceanside, NY on January 4, 1948, to the late Phil and Gloria Ruhle, James later moved to Wanchese at the age of 15, where he made his home for over 60 years. In 1966, he married the love of his wife, Kathy Daniels, and followed his dream of working on the water as a commercial fisherman. Although Jimmy did not finish high school, the education he received in the ocean surpassed anything taught from a textbook. If there was anyone who had fishing in his veins, it was Jimmy. He recognized early on the importance of sustainability in the fishing industry. He served nine years faithfully on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and positively affected the industry through legislation. Although he loved his family dearly, his most prized possession is the F/V Darana R, which he had proudly and successfully captained for almost 50 years! So many times, he’d say with a big smile and heart full of pride; “That ol boat has been good to us,” and he was right!>>click to read<< 11:55
Fuel Man John G. Liarikos, II of Dartmouth, Mass, has passed away
John G. Liarikos, II, 69, of Dartmouth passed away suddenly on Monday September 18, 2023. Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Jeannine (Loranger) Liarikos and John G. Liarikos, he lived in the Greater New Bedford area all of his life. John was the owner/operator of Sea Fuels Marine Services on the New Bedford waterfront. Since its start in the 1990s, he has distributed fuel to the commercial fishing fleet, pleasure boats and commercial land fuel customers to the present day. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Country Club of New Bedford. He held various leadership positions and enjoyed competitive tournament play over the years. He also enjoyed softball, waterskiing, and hockey. >>click to read<< 13:30
Third-Generation Provincetown Fisherman Kenneth Macara, has passed away
Kenneth Roland Macara of Provincetown and Delray Beach, Fla. died at home on Aug. 16, 2023 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 91. The grandson of Joseph Macara, who emigrated from Portugal to Provincetown in 1899 and captained four draggers, including one named Victory, and the son of fisherman Manuel Macara and his wife, Inez, Kenneth was born on Dec. 9, 1931 in Provincetown and grew up here. When he was nine, he said in a 2021 interview for the Provincetown Portuguese Festival, he “forced” his father to “let me go fishing.” That desire to go to sea dominated his life. He was known as a “highliner,” a fisherman whose boats produced high yields of fish and thus high profits. As his grandfather and father had done, he captained draggers, taking over Victory II from his father. After years of fishing, Kenneth built a new boat, the Ruthie L, named after his wife, and passed Victory II on to his son Kenneth II. In his 2021 interview, Kenneth described the fate of the latter. >>click to read<< 10:06
Retired Commercial Fisherman Mark Lee Roberts of Tillamook, Oregon, has passed away
After a long battle with cancer, we lost our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Mark Lee Roberts. Mark was born in Portland, Oregon in 1952 to Harley and Irene Roberts. Mark grew up in SW Portland and attended St. Clare’s Catholic School and graduated from Central Catholic H.S. in 1970. He started commercial dory fishing with his father out of Pacific City in the Old Soak and Ragtag. He owned several dories including Shark Bait, Fish Assassin and Accomplice before acquiring a larger boat, the Pacific Mistress, which he commercial fished out of Depoe Bay. Mark was also part of the ODFW Marine Reserves Community Team, the Depoe Bay Near Shore Action Team, OSU Wave Energy participant, Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission member, and a longtime member of the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association. >>click to read<< 14:49
Retired Commercial Fisherman Joseph B. Novello of Portsmouth, N.H. has passed away
Joseph B. Novello, 82, husband of Beverly (Tryder) Novello of Portsmouth, NH passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Joe was born in Gloucester on April 14, 1941, son of the late Roseline and Captain Nicholas Novello. He attended Gloucester schools and started fishing at an early age. Joe served briefly in the army during the Vietnam War then returned to Gloucester to continue his love of fishing. He fished on many family boats throughout his career and enjoyed sharing the numerous stories of his voyages with his family and friends. After retiring from fishing, he stayed within the industry by working as a seafood clerk for Stop & Shop. Joe enjoyed sharing his favorite recipes with his many customers. His happiest times were those spent with family and friends, telling stories and cracking jokes every chance he got. He also treasured his time at Keoka Beach with his wife Beverly, extended family and beloved dog Buddy. >>click to read<< 18:55
Lobsterman Shane Matthew Sykes of Warren, Maine, has passed away
Shane Matthew Sykes, 33, of Warren, died after a brief illness on Aug. 9, 2023 at Pen Bay Medical Center. He was born in Bangor on June 16, 1990 to Gerald (Roy) and Cynthia (Hagar) Sykes. He was a lifetime resident of the Midcoast. Wherever he lived, he always called Bristol his home. Shane graduated from Lincoln Academy in 2008 and then became a full-time clamdigger. He was a hardworking man and later became a lobsterman. He looked forward to each day spent on the ocean, and often photographed the horizon in the early dawn hours. He also worked at Masters Machine Shop and was a cook at a few local restaurants. He always said he made an awesome steak, and he did. >>click to read<< 08:33
Fishing Industry Icon Francis J. O’Hara, Sr., of Camden, Maine, has passed away
Francis “Frank” Joseph O’Hara Sr., 91, died on August 3, 2023, at his home in Camden, Maine surrounded by his family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 29, 1931, he was the son of Francis Joseph and Dorothy (MacCalduff) O’Hara. He married Donna “Jill” Hildreth in Portland, Maine, on January 11, 1953. Frank was a devoted family man and a devout Catholic. He supported many local organizations and causes and was a strong believer in public service. He flipped pancakes at the Camden Snow Bowl, sat on the Camden National Bank and Owls Head Transportation Museum boards, and served on the New England Fishery Management Council. Under his leadership, O’Hara Corporation, a 115-year-old, fifth-generation family-owned and operated commercial fishing company, expanded its influence from the coast of Maine to the Pacific NW, Alaska and China. >>click to read<< 13:57
Commercial Fisherman Carl Blackman, Jr., of New Bern, North Carolina has passed away
Carl O’Brian Blackman, Jr., 65, passed away August 26, 2023, surrounded by his family. Carl was known for his sense of humor, loyalty, kindness, and love for his family and friends. He was a jack of all trades, a highly skilled, self-taught mechanic, specializing in diesel marine motors, and a lifetime commercial fisherman. In addition to his love for crabbing, Carl was very passionate about his work. He worked at Bryan Wholesale, for the City of New Bern as the Heavy Equipment Manager, and at B&J Seafood for the past 20+ years as a mechanic and commercial fisherman. >>click to read<< 15:00
Commercial fisherman Jeffrey Thomas Clements of Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard, has passed away
Jeffrey Thomas Clements, 67, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023, while out on his boat off State Beach, doing what he loved. Jeffrey was born on July 18, 1956, in Oak Bluffs. He was the son of Albert R. Clements and Lorraine E. (DeMont) Clements. Jeffrey grew up in Oak Bluffs. In addition to landscaping and tree work, Jeff had a calling to be on the water. He was a commercial fisherman, scalloping and lobstering, working for himself or as crew for others if something good came along. During the late ’70s and early ’80s, Jeff crewed for Capt. Roy Scheffer on the sword fishing boat Tiki 12. Jeff spoke fondly of those days fishing on the Grand Banks, traveling south in the winter to fish, and eventually out to Hawaii in ’83’ and ’84 on the Tucana. Jeff was first mate for Capt. Scheffer at that time. Jeff loved Hawaii, and continued to swordfish there after Capt. Roy came back to M.V. >click to read< 10:01
Commercial Fisherman Paul Anthony Kavon of Petersburg, AK, and Ventura, California has passed away
Paul Anthony Kavon was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin on September 26, 1958, the son of Martin and Ruth Kavon. On August 1, 2023, he went to his eternal home while doing what he loved best, commercial fishing near Petersburg, Alaska. During his college years, Paul began working summers in Alaska first in the oil fields, and later in commercial fishing. In 1986, he took up residence in Petersburg, Alaska to pursue a full-time career in commercial salmon fishing. In 1989, Paul met and married Camille Despain, and the couple later had three children, Tanner, Sierra, and Hayden. In 2002, the family moved from Alaska to Oxnard, California, where Paul transitioned his fishing operation to the coastal pelagic fisheries along the state’s southern coastlines. Paul left the fishing industry a few years later to manage a fuel dock station for fishing vessels at Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. 4 photos, >click to read< 15:43
Commercial Fisherman Fredrick (Fred) Reno Italo Arnoldi of Morro Bay, has passed away
Fred left on his Eternal Hunting and Fishing Trip in the early morning hours on June 27, 2023, passing peacefully in his home in Morro Bay, with his wife Diane and his sister Janice by his side. Fred was born January 3, 1951 raised in Santa Barbara where he attended Lincoln Elementary School, La Cumbre Junior High School, and Santa Barbara High School 1970. He left Santa Barbara to become a commercial fisherman up until his last day on earth. He fished salmon in Alaska and the South Seas. Fred seined in San Pedro, and fished herring in San Francisco. Fred owned several vessels including Drifter, Halcyon, Roselena Marie, H2O K-9 and Amakua. A Celebration of Life will be held August 19 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 209 Surf Street, Morro Bay. All are invited. >click to read< 09:51
Former commercial fisherman Samuel “Sammie” Elton Leonard of Calabash, NC. has passed away
He was born on May 26, 1939 in Shallotte Point, NC. He was the son of the late Lloyd Leonard and Pauline Grissett Leonard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Joyce Skeen and Dorit Teeters, and brothers Elroy Leonard and Etheridge Leonard. Sammie was quite a successful commercial fisherman, owning a fleet of shrimp boats. He was well respected in the shrimping industry as one of the best. He even designed and took part in the building process of his largest boat, The Big Mama, which dwarfed other boats of its kind. He later owned and operated True Value Hardware in Calabash, NC. Sammie was a jack of all trades and always willing to lend a hand when needed. >click to read< 10:40
Well known commercial fisherman Richard Alan Burns of Eureka, California, has passed away
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Richard Alan Burns (67) on June 6, 2023. He passed away peacefully, just as he wished, while watching TV and resting in bed at his daughter’s home in El Centro. Alan was born in Eureka on December 11, 1955 to Richard and Carmen Burns. Graduating from high school, he decided to join the forestry service as a firefighter. However, as much as he enjoyed his time on the road, he returned to Eureka with the passing of his mother. For the next 30 years he worked as a commercial fisherman on various boats in Eureka and Coos Bay. For many of those years he worked beside his two brothers Kenny and David. Among his peers, he was affectionately known as “Big Al”. He will forever live on in the hearts of the fishing community as a delightful jester who’s quick wit and hilarious commentary brought laughter among the crew. >click to read< 17:05
Narragansett’s Charles J. Wolf, Featured on Discovery Channel Series Lobster Wars, has passed away
We sadly said goodbye to Narragansett surfcaster and owner of Surf Ninja Customs, Charles J Wolf (Lepre). Born February 13, 1979, in Warwick, RI. Charlie passed due to complications from a heart condition, on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the age of 44. Charlie was surrounded by his family, at Hope Hospice Center in Providence, RI. As a senior at Narragansett High School, he joined the Pt Judith commercial fishing fleet. He worked on lobster boats, scallopers and everything else that fished our waters. That same year, he was offered the captain seat of the inshore Lobster Boat the Jeanie, owned and operated by Thomas Ditmar. Tom became a mentor to Charlie, teaching him the ins and outs of operating and maintaining a fishing vessel. During his career, he was featured on the Discovery Channel series Lobster Wars. At that time, he was a deckhand on The Dragon Lady, an offshore Lobster Boat out of Pt Judith. Charlie spent over 20 years in the commercial fishing industry earning a reputation as a skilled and worthy deckhand and shipmate, becoming a brother to many. >click to read< 10:43
Retired Commercial Fisherman Bernard J. Mattera of San Pedro, California, has passed away
It is with heavy hearts to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Father. Bernard J. Mattera, born and raised in San Pedro, California, on July 17, 1933, passed away on July 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, just 14 days short of his 90th birthday. Benny was a retired Commercial Fisherman of 55 years. He was a proud owner of several fishing boats, including bait and tuna boats. He was most proud of FV Pioneer, which he captained and engineered alongside his son John. Dad enjoyed his family immensely, especially his great-grandchildren. Benny was a prayerful man and would pray up to 15 complete Rosaries a day for his family and whoever had a request and need. >click to read< 10:32
In memory of Edward “Fast Eddie” William Fee
Edward William Fee brought out the best in those that had the pleasure of knowing his vibrant soul. These words are not easy to put on paper in order to fully comprehend the man he was. Born in Ft. Bragg, California on February 1, 1953, he was ready to take on the world until the very last opportunity came his way. As a young man he found himself in the constant eye of adventures and friendships. His knowledge knew no bounds and his limits knew no end. Eddie always followed his heart and in 1971 landed a potential fishing life with cousins Gerald and Tommy Masolini in Cordova, Alaska. There he fished with the best of them, the heroes of the fleets, from the Bering Sea to the border of Mexico. >click to read< 09:56
Retired Commercial Fisherman/Entrepreneur Samuel Asaro of Gloucester, Massachusetts has passed away
Samuel Asaro, 96, of Gloucester, husband of Lousia (Balbo) Asaro, passed away peacefully on July 1st, at Kaplan Family Hospice House, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Gloucester, MA on July 2, 1927, son of the late Peter and Catherine (Ciaramitaro) Asaro. Sam attended Gloucester Schools. He served his country in the U.S. Navy for several years. Afterwards, he was the cook on fishing vessels: F/V Regina Maria, F/V Ida & Joseph, The F/V Eagle, F/V Pat Saint Marie, F/V St. Anthony, and F/V Maria Immaculata. He worked for East Coast Lobster and later co-owned Folsom Seafoods in Salem. Sam’s final job was at the fish auction next to Captain Carlos where he worked until he was 84. >click to read< 11:04
Commercial Fisherman Frederick Reno Italo Arnoldi of Morro Bay, has passed away
Frederick “Fred” Arnoldi, 72, of Morro Bay, California, left on his Eternal Hunting and Fishing Trip in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 27, 2023. He is survived by his wife Diane Arnoldi; siblings Dennis Arnoldi and Janice Morgan; nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Fred was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where he attended Santa Barbara High School. He left Santa Barbara to become a commercial fisherman from 1968 until his last day on earth. He fished salmon in Alaska and the South Seas. Fred seined in San Pedro, and fished herring in San Francisco. Fred owned several vessels including Drifter, Halcyon, Roselena Marie, H2O K-9 and Amakua. >click to read< 21:29
Commercial Fisherman Michael R. Price of Newport, Oregon, has passed away
Michael “Mikey Who” (as he was known to many) was born on February 25, 1955, in Coos Bay, Oregon to Roy L. Price and Jeanette G. (Bunker) Price. He graduated as an Honor Student from Pacific High School in 1973. That fall he enrolled in SOC at Ashland, Oregon. He attended SOC for 2 years then left to become a full-time commercial fisherman and he never looked back. His first boat was named the Abiquay. He fished for salmon and bottom fish at that time. He and his faithful dog, Quila, became well known on the Oregon and Northern California coast as fine fishermen. They made friends everywhere they traveled. >click to read< 12:08
Commercial Fisherman Captain Ronald Lynn Galloway, Sr. of Baytown, Texas, has passed away
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Captain Ronald Lynn Galloway Sr. of Baytown, Texas, born October 12, 1950, who passed away on June 4, 2023, at the age of 72, leaving to mourn family and friends. Captain Ron was a beloved member of the commercial shrimping industry. He enjoyed sharing his love for the water, and was proud that his son Ronnie, Jr. followed in his footsteps and worked alongside him for many years. In the spring, you could find Capt. Ron out on the bay catching big shrimp and crabs, and in the winter, you would find him sitting in a deer blind waiting for the monster buck. >click to read< 09:54
Barnegat Light Matriarch Marion Larson Remembered
With her passing June 3, Barnegat Light commercial fishing industry matriarch Marion Larson is remembered as a respected businessperson and a “legendary” woman in the local community. Marion and her late husband John founded Viking Village commercial fishery in Barnegat Light with the late Louis Puskas and his wife Frances. Marion was her husband’s bookkeeper until his death in December 2009 when daughter Karen Larson assumed duties to assist her, including the business operations of the 90-foot-long fishing catamaran, the Miss Barnegat Light, 61 years on the water. Generations of the family are still involved in the fisheries industry. >click to read< 07:55
Fisherman John ‘Jack’ Hale, of Lowestoft,102, has passed away
Born John Federick, the respected fisherman only ever wanted to sail and he became the proud owner of a boat aged just 10. An independent soul, he would go on to run a successful business in Lowestoft which would see him work alongside both his son and grandsons. He was also proud to have broken an inshore fishing record in October 1968 with a herring catch in his boat the Seafarer. “He also fished with his son, Mike, who fished with him from about the age of 12, and they went on to own boats together. “It became a real family business when two of his grandsons began their working lives fishing with them.” Photos, >click to read< 10:32
Navy Veteran/Lobsterman Stephen Christopher Johnson of Chebeague Island, Maine, has passed away
Stephen was born in Portland on Oct. 23, 1945, the youngest child of Sherman Roberts and Eleanor Soule Johnson. Upon discharge from the Navy, Stephen returned to Chebeague and the lobstering career that he had left behind. During the next five decades Stephen mentored dozens of young men and women–both summer and year-round residents–who worked on the stern of his lobster boat. His easy-going manner and calm demeanor endeared him to all who worked with him. Stephen loved the solitude of the sea and was known to the younger lobstermen as “Mr. Johnson,” which in a community where small children call octogenarians by their first name, was more of a term of endearment and respect than an obligatory title. Stephen was all set for this year’s lobster season. His boat was ready to be launched and his gear was being rigged when he passed. >click to read< 10:14
Army Vet/Commercial Fisherman Dale F Baines “Whaler” of Brookings, Oregon, has passed away
Dale was born on May 18, 1952, in Sacramento, CA to Vern and Marie (Barclay) Baines. At the age of 13 his mother and stepfather Leland Holmes moved the family to Gold Beach. Dale attended and graduated from Gold Beach High School in 1971. Soon after graduation he was drafted into the Army. Dale loved to fish from a young age. It was not surprising he became a commercial fisherman and in 1976 he bought his first F/V the TAKU a small salmon trawler which he fell overboard while fishing by himself off Eureka CA. Thankfully the Lord was not ready for him and saved him so that he could marry Mindy Payne on September 26, 1987. Dale spent many years working on others boats, until 2003 when he and his wife purchased the F/V Innisfree. >click to read< 13:04
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
Commercial Fisherman Lloyd D. Whaley of Brookings, Oregon has passed away
Lloyd D. Whaley was born April 30th, 1943, and passed away peacefully on Saturday morning April 29th, 2023. He juggled working nights at the lumber mill while pursuing his eventual career during the daytime: commercial fishing. The long hours and lack of sleep eventually paid off when he was able to buy his first salmon trawler, the Marilyn A. Some years later, he sold the Marilyn A and bought a slightly larger trawler, the Kristy. Unfortunately, the risk of fishing caught up with him and the Kristy sank. Instead of becoming discouraged, he remained devoted to commercial fishing and built a boat that could handle harsher weather conditions and diversify into other fisheries such as crab, shrimp, and bottom trawl, the Cape Sebastian. From there he grew to a second vessel, a 90-foot gulf shrimper the BJ Thomas (later sold to his granddaughter Sarah and husband Justin). Finally, in 1987 in a partnership with his son, they built a combination trawler crabber in Alabama and named it the Miss Sarah after his granddaughter. Additionally, Lloyd gave 20 years of service to the Port of Brookings Harbor as a commissioner. >click to read< 11:54
Retired lobsterman Charles Rogers Sr. of Matinicus Island has passed away
Charles Rogers Sr. of Matinicus Island, crossed the bar on the morning of January 20, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1939 in Owls Head, Maine. After working in Rockland at National Sea Products, Charlie and Donna moved to Matinicus Island where Charlie was a lobsterman until he retired at the age of 80. In those early years he also was a member of a seining crew. Charlie owned several boats over the years and had the distinction of having the first blue boat in the harbor when the C. Kristy Lee was built in 1978. It was thought at the time to be bad luck to have a blue boat and many of the old timers refused to ride in her. That superstition didn’t hold however, as several of the next shiny new lobster boats built for Matinicus fishermen were painted blue. At 67, when Charlie’s wife suggested he consider retiring, his answer was to have a new boat built, and Miss Sunshine became the latest addition to the harbor in 2007. >click to read< 10:26
Commercial fishing business/vessel owner Jewell Thomas “Tom” English III of Oak Island, Texas, has passed away
Jewell Thomas “Tom” English III, 75, of Oak Island, Texas, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at his home, with his loving family by his side. He was born on May 12, 1947, in Oceanside, California, to the late Margaret Emily Powers and Jewell Thomas English, Jr. He enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country during the Vietnam Era. Tom was the owner and operator of a commercial fishing business and the fishing vessel F/V M&M (“you know where it melts”) for many years. He also received his captain’s license as a tugboat driver and for pushing barges. >click to read< 09:47
Captain William Tyndale “Punk” Daniels of Wanchese, North Carolina has passed away
William Tyndale “Punk” Daniels, 77, of Wanchese, North Carolina, died on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Chesapeake Health and Rehabilitation Center. As a commercial fishing boat captain with Wanchese Fish Company, Punk spent countless hours on the water, providing for his family, and contributing to the local economy. In addition to his work as a captain, Punk was a co-owner of Wanchese Fish Company. Punk’s expertise in the fishing industry was legendary, and he was widely known in fishing ports on both coasts of the United States. Punk was also well known for his trademark whistle; if you heard it, you knew it was him and that he would “see you around like a donut.” >click to read< 09:24
Commercial Fisherman Justin P. Doberck, 41, of Mattapoisett, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 7, 2023.
Those who knew Justin were amazed watching him move through this life, and feel blessed to have been in it at the same time. He was beautiful and one of the most interesting people anyone could know. He was loved fiercely by his family who were relentlessly proud of him. Justin was a commercial offshore fishing captain for many years, starting over two decades ago working on the Serene out of Mattapoisett, captured on the cover of Insider Magazine, F/V Buzzards Bay, F/V Sally Katherine and F/V Silver Key out of the Port of New Bedford, F/V Direction out of Fairhaven, and then operator of fishing vessels with his mate and brother, Billy, for more than 10 years for M.E. Fisheries, then F/V McKinley, and most currently for Atlantic Red Crab. He also enjoyed logging and working at his sawmill in his spare time. >click to read more< 17:19
