Tag Archives: Obituary
Commercial Fisherman Dusten William Abbott of Manteo, N.C, has passed away
Dusten William Abbott, 40, of Manteo, N,C, passed away suddenly Thursday, January 27, 2022. Dusten was born September 30, 1981 in Edenton, NC. He was the son of Ray Abbott, Sr. and Michelle Congleton. Dusten had great love for being on the water. He grew up beach fishing with the whole family. Dusten’s love of fishing led him to become a commercial fisherman. He did everything from long lining to working on trawl boats. But most of all, he was always ready to go shrimping, which he enjoyed tremendously. Dusten had a heart of gold. >click to read< 17:14
Commercia Fisherman Matthew “Matt” James Washington of Sedro Woolley, WA has passed away
Sedro-Woolley – Matthew “Matt” James Washington, age 38, passed away January 22, 2022, at Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon, Washington. He was born August 9, 1983, in Mount Vernon to William “Dean” and LeAnne (Drivstuen) Washington. Matthew worked as a commercial fisherman and crabber. Anyone who worked with Matthew knew him to be a hard worker who could count on to get the job done. >click to read< 15:48
Retired Commercial Fisherman Joseph Correia of South Dartmouth has passed away
Joseph Correia, Jr., 85, of South Dartmouth, gently passed after a long illness on January 9 at 12:26 a.m. at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by his wife, Margaret, and children. He initially worked on tug boats in Fall River and Boston and later became highly regarded as a commercial fisherman and Captain on the New Bedford Waterfront. Joe worked closely with Sea Rover Fishing, Inc. for more than 30 years and was Captain and Chief Engineer of their vessel, the AA Ferrante. In addition, he owned two of his own boats: a swordfishing vessel, “Defiance”, and the beautiful “JoAnna”, a wooden Stonington dragger. >click to read< 12:18
Veteran Waterman Kenley “Sonny” Tilghman Hampton, Jr. has passed away
Kenley “Sonny” Tilghman Hampton, Jr. of Centreville, MD passed away on January 11, 2022. Locally known as “Sonny Boy”. He was 89. After his father’s passing at a young age, Sonny gave up his education to help care for his mother and siblings. Well known as a Veteran waterman, first starting in our own backyard, him and his brother, Abby, were the first waterman to introduce diesel engines on their work boats. Whether it be advice or lending a helping hand he was always willing and ready to help within his community. A community in which he will be deeply missed. >click to read< 09:58
Alaska Commercial Fisherman Paul Richard Harder has passed away
Paul Richard Harder died unexpectedly at home in Hawai’i on Dec. 13, 2021 of a heart attack. Paul was born Aug. 22, 1951, in Seattle to Ole and Mary Harder. Paul started commercial fishing in Alaska with his father at 12; they were shipwrecked four days his first season but that didn’t deter him. He was a successful fisherman throughout Alaska. One of his Kodiak seining highlights was making a set of more than 40,000 pounds of red salmon; he had to radio his dad to load both of their boats. Paul’s big smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed. Paul’s Celebration of Life is deferred to a later date. >click to read< 21:15
Commercial Fishermen/Marine Corp Veteran Mark Allen Chase has passed away in Newport, Oregon
Mark Allen Chase passed away on November, 28th 2021, at his home in Newport, Oregon, after a long and courageous battle with Neuroendocrine (carcinoid) cancer. Mark was born on June, 8th 1951, in Bellflower, California to his parents Ted and Shirley Chase. At a young age, Mark joined the Marine Corps and would serve in Vietnam where he earned a purple heart. He carried his patriotism and pride as a veteran with all he accomplished. After his service, His love of the ocean brought him to his 50 year career as a commercial fisherman and his home to Newport, Oregon. He owned and operated the fishing vessel F/V Norma M out of Newport and raised his four children to be avid fishermen as well. >click to read< 16:21
Gloucester Fisherman Robert W. Noonan has passed away
Robert W. Noonan age 70 was born on August 27th, 1951 in Salem, Ma. He passed away December 29th peacefully at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with his daughters by his side. He was the oldest son of the late William and Dorothy Noonan of Gloucester. Mr. Bob was a local fisherman and spent years aboard the Anne Rowe, The Odessa, The Explorer II and many other vessels. His time at sea led him to be a vivacious reader. Bob was an amazing storyteller, who turned what he saw at sea, at home and at play into short stories to leave for his family. His own story is one we were all blessed to have shared. >click to read< 15:03
‘A force’: Former N.L. and federal cabinet minister John Efford has passed away
Former federal and provincial cabinet minister John Efford is being remembered as “true icon” of Newfoundland and Labrador politics. He died Sunday at the age of 77. Efford was born in 1944 in the small fishing community of Port de Grave. He became the provincial Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in 1996, four years after a moratorium on cod fishing in the province led to widespread economic collapse and despair, particularly in rural areas. Efford was a fisherman himself and, as minister, he fought hard for the industry’s recovery. >click to read< 08:52
Lifelong Waterman Thomas Edward Haddaway, Sr. has passed away
Our hearts are breaking as we mourn the passing of Thomas Edward Haddaway, Sr. Born in Tilghman on Aug. 17, 1941 to Frances and Edward Haddaway, Tommy was the backbone and strength of his family,,, A lifelong waterman, Tommy loved nothing better than to be on the water in his workboat crabbing, tonging or fishing. After “retiring” he totally looked forward to steering the boat for his son, T, while they were patent tonging. He enjoyed cutting up and carrying on with his watermen friends and adding to the many tall tales and delightful stories that were often heard at Fairbank Tackle. >click to read< 09:20
Retired Lobsterman Dennis R. Young, Sr., of Cushing, Maine has passed away
Dennis R. Young, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2021. Born March 5, 1937 in Cushing, he was the son of Walter D. and Lucy A. (Sukeforth) Young. Dennis was a lifelong resident of Cushing and descended from a long line of fishermen that have called the area home since the 18th century. He graduated from Thomaston High School and captained the F/V Denise D. out of Pleasant Point Gut. Dennis learned a great many things from his father (known as “Bump”) including the value of hard work. He passed these lessons down to his own children and grandchildren in large part by showing them how to lobster and through his willingness to lend a hand. >click to read< 12:20
Commercial Fisherman Benjamin Eric Boyok has passed away
Benjamin Eric Boyok set sail for the last time on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, in Cloverdale. Benjamin was born July 7, 1978, to Philip (Otis) Boyok and Paula (Parmelee) Boyok. He attended East High School in Sioux City. He then moved to Oregon and worked as a commercial fisherman in the Bering Sea for over 20 years where he was well respected by his peers. He was the loving and devoted father of his son George and daughter Otilja. >click to read< 19: 47
Legendary Boat Builder Ralph W. Stanley of Southwest Harbor has passed away
Ralph Warren Stanley, 92, died unexpectedly Dec. 7, 2021, at Mount Desert Island Hospital. He was born Feb. 9, 1929, in Bar Harbor, the son of Chester W. and Bertha E. (Robinson) Stanley. Ralph graduated from Pemetic High School, Class of 1948. After graduation, he attended Ricker Jr. College, where he obtained an associate degree in business. After college, he worked as ship’s hand for Captain Neil Peterson on the Niliraga owned by Gano Sillick Dunn, and after Mr. Dunn’s death he became captain of the Niliraga for Mrs. Florence Montgomery. In the winters, he was often found building fishing boats for area fishermen. Some of these are still in use. >click to read< 07:14
Commercial Fisherman Timothy J. Moore of Homer, Alaska, has passed away
Timothy J. Moore, age 65, of Homer, Alaska, passed peacefully from this world into the loving arms of Jesus, the Great Fisher of Men on Dec. 2, 2021. After his family, Tim enjoyed hunting and sport fishing, but commercial fishing was his passion. his first fishing experience was set netting for salmon on his Uncle Pat McElroy’s sites as a skinny 13-year-old during a summer visit to Alaska in 1967. In 1991 the acquisition of the F/V Iliamna Bay allowed him to expand his herring fisheries to include Togiak and to participate in the halibut fishery during those crazy “derby” days before IFQs. The F/V Iliamna Bay was also the beginning of his Prince William Sound salmon seining career where he made many memories fishing with the family and some amazing crew. >click to read< 15:19
Commercial Fisherman/Army Veteran Norval Helmer Nelson, of No. Douglas, Alaska has passed away
Norval Helmer Nelson, Sr, was born April 2, 1926 in Onalaska, Washington to Arnt Hilmer Sjoning Nilsen of Bodø, Norway and Selma Elizabeth (Holmblad) Nilsen of Bergsjõ, Sweden. Ole and his brother Axel worked alongside their father to build on the beach the family’s first fishing boat-the F/V Saga–with trolling poles made from nearby spruce trees. Ole captained the F/V Saga, F/V Nova, F/V Silverspray, F/V Sparrow Castle, F/V Vermont, F/V Curlew. In 1974, Ole and his son Norvie bought the 82 foot crabber F/V Aleut Princess from Kodiak. Ole fished for crab up until he was 93 – atop the flying bridge of the F/V Christian in frigid rolling seas and snowstorms. He was never idle. Watch the video. >click to read< 21:47
Lobsterman John Joseph “Johnny” Crane III, of Port Clyde has passed away
John Joseph “Johnny” Crane III, 80, died November 18, 2021 at the Sussman House in Rockport following an extended period of declining health. Johnny grew up in Waldoboro and attended local schools. His entire life was centered around fishing beginning as a clam digger in high school. He also went seining with Hugo & Sonny Lehtinen before becoming a lobster fisherman until his retirement a few years ago for health reasons. He had his first new lobster boat “Sylvia C” built in 1982 followed by a second new “Sylvia C” in 1998 still being fished in Port Clyde by his grandson Johnny V. >click to read< 09:36
Commercial Fisherman Mark Wells of Phippsburg, Maine, has passed away
Mark Wells, 67, passed away on Nov. 13, 2021 after diabetic issues complicated by Covid. He was born in Kittery, Maine on June 24, 1954 to Bert Wells and Faye Albertson. In 1986, Mark met and married the love of his life, Mary “Betsy” Wells. He adopted her son, William, as his own, and they lived in Arundel, Searsmont and finally settled in Phippsburg. Mark had worked with his grandfather, Dutch Albertson, lobstering as a teenager. His love of commercial fishing stayed with him, and he worked in the industry for many years, before he bought his boat F/V Miss Betsy. He has fished her for the past 26 years out of Sebasco Harbor with his son William lobstering and tuna fishing. Mark also participated in the Maine Lobster Boat Races, where he won several trophies. >click to read< 15:37
Commercial Fisherman Gregory Allan Bray of Perryville, R.I., has passed away
Gregory Allan Bray, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on November 17, 2021, surrounded by his family at South County Hospital after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Greg was a second-generation commercial fisherman aboard many boats including the F/V “Valiant Lady” and the F/V “Provider”. Most recently, he worked as the Captain of the F/V “Relentless” for more than 30 years. He was well liked and highly respected by all his crew and colleagues. He was a modest man, genuine and honorable, and he loved rock and roll. >click to read< 07:37
Commercial Fisherman Michael F. Champlin, of Narragansett, R.I. has passed away
Michael F. Champlin 70, of Narragansett, passed away on Thursday, November 18th, 2021 at home. Mike was a Commercial Fisherman for many years and retired from the Bait Company in 2015 after 20 years of dedicated attention and care. Michael had the “old school” work ethic, get the job done and get it right. >click to read< – The Funeral Service will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pt. Judith Fishermen’s Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 386, Narragansett, RI 02882 or Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, 249 Roosevelt Ave, S uite 201 Pawtucket, RI 02860 12;48
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
Captain Angus M. Crosby of Georgetown, Maine, has passed away
On the morning of Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, the community of Georgetown lost a much loved, colorful character. Capt. Angus McGregor Crosby was born on Sept. 9, 1966 in Brunswick. Angus started clamming in high school and bought his own lobster boat shortly after and began a career as a commercial lobsterman. He lobstered up until his untimely death and enjoyed every second of being on the water. As a stubborn and hard working Scotsman, he enjoyed the freedom of working on the water and being his own boss throughout the years. Angus lived life to the fullest and on his own terms, working like a captain and playing like a pirate. >click to read<09:50
Captain Horatio “Raish” Beck, of Rodanthe, NC, has passed away
Captain Horatio “Raish” Beck, 81, of Rodanthe, NC passed away at home on Friday, November 12, 2021. Born August 17, 1940, in Rodanthe to Walter Henry Beck and Laura Etta Scarborough, he was the grandson of Levene Westcott Midgett and Lucretia Midgett. Raish fished all of his life and was a scallop boat captain for Wanchese Fish Company for 30 years. He was devoted to his family and a faithful man of God. He has numerous friends up and down the East Coast. >click to read< 11:45
Commercial Fisherman Captain Stanley Russell Bayley of Scarborough, Maine, has passed away
Stanley was born on Nov. 26, 1943, in Biddeford to Russell and Bessie Bayley. Raised on Jones Creek in Pine Point, Scarborough, Stanley started his first job digging clams at the early age of 9 when clams were $1.50 per bushel. Commercial fishing with his grandfather by 13, he bought his first lobster boat by 16, the “Dirty Shame.” After owning three smaller boats, Stan bought his first commercial dragger, the “April Gale” in 1970. In the years that followed he would go on to acquire an additional five draggers and becoming one Maine’s most successful commercial fishermen. He was known and admired by many. >click to read< 09:55
Commercial Fisherman Leroy “Roy” Wilbur Cabana has passed away in Homer, Alaska,
Leroy “Roy” Wilbur Cabana passed away peacefully at his home in Homer, Alaska, surrounded by his family on Oct. 22, 2021, at 10:22 p.m. Even in his final moments he was still full of his quick wit and banter. Some of his final words were “turn it loose,” which was a tribute to his life as a commercial fisherman. Through his employment as a longshoreman, bus driver, body shop co-owner, professional hunter/trapper, or his later careers of a boat builder, catcher/processor, vessel owner, crabber and commercial fisherman, the legacy of his life is the fishing enterprise that he and his wife started for his children and grandchildren and future upcoming great grandchildren. >click to read< 21:20
Commercial Fisherman Stephen Witwicki, 58, of Boothbay, Maine, has passed away
Stephen Witwicki, 58, of Boothbay, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and friends after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. There wasn’t a commercial fishing job he didn’t do, but lobstering was his calling. He owned his own boat, which he named Pearl, and worked for himself, as well as working for Shafmasters out of Portsmouth, N.H., on and off for many years. If a there was a job on the water, Steve wanted it. Steve even went swordfishing out of Gloucester, Mass., on the Hannah Boden,,, >click to read< 21:52
Trident Seafoods’ Chuck Bundrant, a pioneer of U.S. fisheries off Alaska, dies at 79
Chuck Bundrant, an epic figure in North Pacific fisheries who started his career as a deck hand on a crabber and went on to cofound Seattle-based Trident Seafoods, died Sunday at his Edmonds home. He was 79. Bundrant was a fierce competitor who played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era in harvests off Alaska as foreign fleets were pushed out of the 200-mile zone and Americans rushed in to catch pollock, crab, black cod and other seafood. And as U.S. fleets gained control, he fought to ensure that Trident’s network of shoreside processing plants and seagoing vessels would prosper. >click to read< 08:02
A Celebration of Life: Commercial Dory Fisherman Craig Edward Wenrick has passed away
Craig Edward Wenrick was born Oct. 22, 1954 to Clyde and Corinne Wenrick in Oregon City, Ore. He married his wife Susie on September 19, 1986 and went on to have 4 children. The small towns of Pacific City and Woods were his homes away from home his whole childhood and where he decided to raise his family and start his fish company, Sea Q Fish. As a commercial fisherman for more than 20 years, and an official for the Doryman’s Association, Craig was well-known and loved by all of the TCSO Marine Deputies, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers and Oregon State Park Beach Rangers that had the pleasure of interacting with Craig while working the beach at Cape Kiwanda. >Photos, click to read< 20:58
Commercial Lobsterman Norbert B. Stamps Jr., of Charlestown, R.I., has passed away
Born on March 15, 1956 in Providence, RI, he was the husband of Patricia A. (Eastman) Stamps and the son of the late Norbert B. Sr. and Margaret (O’Neil) Stamps. At age 13, Norbert was fishing for striped bass with his father in Narragansett Bay and hooked something quite heavy with his fishing pole. At the end of the line was a lobster trap completely full of lobsters. From that moment on, he knew he wanted to be a fisherman. That winter he was in his basement building lobster traps. He then started to build a 26-foot skiff in the family’s backyard on Lennon Street in Providence which was completed upon graduating from Our Lady of Providence High School (OLP) in 1974. He became a full-time commercial lobsterman. During his career, he owned several 40 ft boats, owned his pride and joy 75 ft boat named after his two oldest boys, Brendan and Kevin, and was partners with Jay and David Gallup running an 80 ft boat. >click, read more about this beloved man< 11:02
Commercial Fisherman/Lobsterman Scott Allan Sullivan of Brunswick, Maine, has passed away
Scott Allan Sullivan, 51, died Monday Oct. 4, 2021 at Mid Coast Hospital. He was born Sept. 25, 1970 in Key West, Fla., a son of Donald and Patricia Mynahan Sullivan. After spending many years together, he married Rosemary (Rose) Dewey on Sept. 30, 2017. Scott worked his entire life on the water as a fisherman and lobsterman, splitting the seasons between David Labbe and Lucky Oppedisano. He loved to hunt and every November brought his family together to hunt the woods that he hunted all his life with his father and brothers. He was the creator and self proclaimed “president” of “Team Die 2 Hunt” for which he regularly was awarded the largest buck at the end of each deer season. >click to read< 18:07
Commercial Fisherman Michael “Mikie” Devlin of California has passed away
Michael “Mikie” Devlin was born to Joan Warde and Harry Devlin on May 26, 1959 in San Diego, California. In 1972, Michael & his family moved from San Juan Capistrano, CA to Trinidad, CA. Michael discovered that the commercial fishing community offered an economic opportunity and a chance to be on the ocean as well as a camaraderie that lasted his entire adult life. Michael fished for Dungeness crab, Salmon, Albacore tuna, black cod and shrimp. He also had a 19-year career working with geologists performing salmon stream restoration. Michael later moved to the Ft. Bragg/Mendocino area to fish salmon & black cod for the remainder of his life. >click to read< 10:16
Roberto Gonzalez of Key West, Florida has passed away. He found and lived the American dream
Born to his parents, Maria Paula Oliva and Pedro Gonzalez on the 31st day of March, 1933, in Quiebra Hacha, Cuba. At the tender age of 2, he lost his beloved mother, and, shortly after his father followed, leaving him an orphan at the age of 6. At the age of 23, Roberto met his love Benedicta Herrera. Building their home together in Key West, where he worked as Commercial Fisherman for Stock Island Lobster along side of Peter Bacle. After hard work and sacrifice, in 1979, Roberto purchased his pride and joy, a 43ft. Torres, The Thunderbird, which is still up and running, and one of the most well known boats among the industry. >click to read< 10:39
Benedicta Herrera de Gonzalez – She met the love of her life, and later married her best friend, Roberto Gonzalez in 1956. She met the love of her life, and later married her best friend, Roberto Gonzalez in 1956. Together they voyaged into freedom, Although, she and Roberto separated they remained family, involved in their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s everyday lives, celebrating all their events together. They were a forever family. >click to read< 11:47
