Tag Archives: Obituary
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
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Stern Man Susan Amelia Clark of Kennebunkport has passed away
Susan Amelia (Collins) Clark, 81, passed away at home on Sept. 17, 2021, after a long, brave, and often miraculous battle with multiple health issues. She met Edward Russell Clark, Jr. (“Russ”) at a party, and they eloped on Dec. 29, 1967. Susan worked in a wide variety of roles over the years, from administration to accounting to sales. But her fondest (and most surprising) career accomplishment was obtaining her lobstering license and accompanying her husband Russ as his stern man, banding lobsters and baiting traps as they fished out of Cape Porpoise Harbor from the boat he’d named for her. She loved being a mother, and welcomed and celebrated her grandchildren, >click to read< 10:04
Walter “Skip” Sheppard III of Ipswich, Ma. Owner of “Three Lantern Marine and Fishing” Company
Walter “Skip” Sheppard III, 68, of Ipswich, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, with his loving family by his side after a long illness. Skip’s greatest passion was being on the ocean, deep sea fishing and owning his own boat which led him to purchase and open “Three Lantern Marine and Fishing” in Gloucester, MA. This is where Skip found his true calling. In 2017, his son Matt joined the team at Three Lantern where he will now take over and continue his father’s legacy. Skip was very talented and loved to tinker on things. He enjoyed a good game of scrabble or golf and he was an amazing cook. One of Skip’s greatest achievements in life was his sobriety which he maintained for over 30 years and until his death. >click to read< 11:22
William D. Stinson, Sr., of Owls Head, Maine has passed away
William D. “Bill” Stinson, Sr., 78, died peacefully at home with his beloved wife and daughter by his side. Born in Stonington, August 8, 1943, he was the son of Norman and Gladys Smith Stinson. Bill lived his whole life in Owls Head, Following graduation, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Providence. Returning home, Bill married the love of his life, Mary Myrick in 1972. Throughout his life, Bill worked tirelessly to provide for his family so that his wife could stay at home and raise their two beautiful children. He had a love of the ocean, and worked for many years, fishing for FJ O’Hara’s aboard the vessel captained by his father Norman Stinson. When not out on the water, he worked for a lobster buying business, a bait business and as a night watchman. >click to read< 20:51
He was the best of us. Kenneth Dale Burns,1954-2021 has passed away
On September 6, four days after his 67th birthday, Kenneth Dale Burns passed in the night. He was the best of us. Whether donned in neoprene in the crashing waves, or atop of his fishing boat off Humboldt Bay, he was the best of us. He loved his wife with a sincerity and devotion that only a man with his capacity for love could achieve. He was the best of us. He had a quiet soul and a stoic presence that made us all feel safe. He was the best of us. His boys adored him and his grandchildren loved him because he was the best of us. He was a captain, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. >click to read< 14:09
Stephen P. Ryan, 63, Commercial Fisherman, Photographer, and Craftsman
Stephen Paul Ryan died on Sept. 9, 2021 at his home in North Truro. He was 63. His death, of natural causes, was confirmed by his sister Nancy. The son of the late John J. and Isabel (Shea) Ryan, Stephen was born the eighth of nine siblings in Milford and raised in Medway. He began work as a commercial fisherman, serving as mate on several boats, including the F/V Susan Lynn, and F/V Rolex. He worked on one of the tuna boats featured in the television series Wicked Tuna, and he tried his hand as a lobsterman. He was a longtime mate on the F/V Sea Wolf, Capt. Tommy Smith’s strike-net boat of bluefish fame. “He loved nature,” explained Capt. Smith, “and during slack time he would photograph the sunrise.” He would also carve quahogs into the shape of whales’ tails, Smith added. He made “really nice stuff.” >click to read< 11:43
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
Delaware lobsterman ‘Captain Bill’ Melvin Ernest Rice has passed away
Ernest “Bill” Melvin Rice, 81, of Lewes passed away at home Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. He was born June 17, 1940, in Lewes, son of the late Ernest M. and Charlotte (Smith) Rice. Bill was a proud veteran, having honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service, he started his own business along with his wife, Jean, called Indian River Lobster Co., where they provided seafood to the area. Bill started first clamming commercially, then fishing, and then went on to become one of Delaware’s first lobsterman. >click to read< 15:34
Life Long Scalloper Daniel Jean Joseph Lareau has passed away
New Bedford – Daniel Jean Joseph Lareau, 64, went to meet our Lord on Monday, August 30, 2021. Daniel’s love of the sea was only surpassed by the love for his children, Danielle and Eric Lareau. A life long scalloper, he spent his final years with his grandson Ocean James, who was the light of his life. Daniel was know for his massive heart, he was the type of man who would give the shirt off his back, a man who bought the entire neighborhood ice cream, pack the car full of his nieces and nephews on a hot summer day and go on adventures. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 11,,, To leave a note of condolence, and details, >click to read< 20:32
50-year commercial fisherman Mike Lane has passed away
Michael Don Lane, a long-time Bandon resident, passed away in his home during the Perseid meteor shower on August 14, 2021, Mike graduated from Auburn HS in 1967 and went to work for Northern Pacific Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard,,, After the Coast Guard, Mike briefly returned to Washington and his railroad job before giving in to his love of the sea and returning to Charleston. Thus began his 50-year career as a commercial fisherman. In addition to attending his children’s activities and commercially fishing Dungeness crab and salmon, Mike served his community in many ways. He was a member of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Advisory Committee, a commissioner on the Oregon Salmon Commission from 1992–2002, a member of the Rules Advisory Committee for ODA and ODFW, involved with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission,,, >click to read< 18:55
Shrimp Boat Captain Richard Emil Rick Shattel
Richard Emil “Rick” Shattel’s life ended peacefully in the presence of his family on August 5, 2021. He was sixty-nine years old. Rick was born March 7, 1952, in Galveston, to Emil and Josephine Schattel. Rick was a man of the sea hardened by salt and sun. He was a third-generation commercial fisherman who captained multiple shrimp boats of the Mosquito Fleet including the Shell Belly and his favorite, the Katie Marie. Rick was an independent spirit and a self-professed rebel. He was a fierce defender of family and friends. >click to read< 15:55
Commercial Fisherman & Coast Guard Reserve Veteran, Harold A. Loftes, Jr., Dies
Harold A. Loftes, Jr., 78, passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was the husband of Mary (Littlefield) Loftes and the son of the late Virginia (Bossard) Loftes and Harold Loftes, Sr. and brother to the late Bruce Loftes. Harold built and owned many boats during his 60+ years of commercial fishing, including the vessels Mary Elena, Min Terse, Amanda Lee, Kevin + Mandy, and others. Fishing was his life and passion. A graveside ceremony will be held at New Fernwood Cemetery, Rt 138, Kingston Monday, >click to read< 07:33
George Carter: Former Caithness skipper has passed away
Caithness skipper George Carter, who witnessed the aftermath of wartime tragedies, landed 378 boxes of cod in one day, and once caught a great white shark in his nets, has died aged 86. He first went to sea as a child and was fishing with creels from his boat Streaker until days before his death. George had also been a Justice of the Peace, was a trustee of Waterline Heritage Centre, Lybster, chairman of Lybster Harbour Society and Wick branch chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association. >click to read< 16:19
Jason Daniel Campbell has passed away
Jason Daniel Campbell, 60, was born to Daniel and Barbara Campbell August 12, 1960, in Coos Bay. He died September 16, 2020, at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Reedsport Masonic Cemetery, where we will share stories of his life. Jason commercial fished much of his life. Beginning as a deck hand for his father from a very young age, then having his own vessel for a while before moving to work as a deckhand, including on Alaskan fishing vessels for a few years. He worked on one of the fishing vessels that was showcased on Deadliest Catch, prior to the first season. >click to read< 09:05
Robert “RJ” Cericola, A well-respected member of the N.J. fishing community has passed away
RJ Cericola lost his valiant battle with cancer on August 18, 2021. A well-respected member of the fishing community, RJ was born in Point Pleasant Beach and raised in Lavallette. He resided in Brick Township for the last 25 years. He always had an affinity for the ocean, bay and rivers that surround our area. A master sailor and accomplished outdoorsman, RJ owned and operated his business, F/V Backwash, since 1988. >click to read< 15:43
Retired Commercial Fisherman Terry L. Huff of Juneau, Alaska, has passed away
Terry was mostly raised in the Coos Bay, Oregon area where he attended school. After high school in 1975,Terry joined the US Army. After he was released from the Army he returned to Coos Bay and attended SWOCC for Automotive Repair. Terry then went to work in the commercial fishing industry. He worked on the docks in Charleston and eventually went to sea and worked as a deckhand. He then for the next several years, skippered Korean boats off the coast of California. Terry eventually made his way to Craig and then to Juneau, Alaska where he continued in the commercial fishing industry. He lived there for many years. Terry’s health declined and he was forced to retire. >click to read< 21:17
Legendary Commercial Fisherman Michael D. McHenry has passed away
“You can have that boat if you want to re-float it.” That was all Michael had to hear. He began his fishing career at age 15, fishing in the summers until he graduated from Half Moon Bay High School in 1961. After that, he went full time on the water going down to Three Rocks every day and coming in with a boat full of ling cod. In 1965, Michael bought the F/V Pescadero and continued his career, now as a salmon fisherman. When his abilities outgrew that boat, he built the Merva W and launched her in 1971. The legendary “Blue Boat” was named after his mother, Merva Wilson. She is a steel, 65-foot salmon/crab/albacore fishing boat. He made a name for himself throughout coastal California and Oregon as a fun-loving Irishman and a salmon fisherman extraordinaire. Fishermen were drawn to him as a natural leader and he led a following of fishermen nicknamed “The Z Squad.” >click to read< 18:47
Commercial Fisherman James “Punkin” Gaspard, Sr., of Bordonville, La. has passed away
James “Punkin” Gaspard, Sr., age 77, passed away at his home in Bordelonville surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, August 14th, 2021. He followed in the footsteps of his father as a commercial fisherman for greater than 60 years. His favorite past-time was fishing on his pier with his grandchildren, spending countless hours in his shed, and spending time with those closest to him. >click to read< 09:50
Tribal fisheries advocate Lorraine Loomis of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has passed away
Loomis spent the last about 40 years serving the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, most recently as chairperson. She began her career in fisheries working in fish processing in 1970, and then became fisheries manager for her home tribe following the 1974 Boldt decision that reaffirmed tribes’ treaty-protected fishing rights.,, Chairperson of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission is the lead negotiator for tribes in the North of Falcon salmon fisheries planning process with the state of Washington. Loomis was also involved in developing the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the U.S. and Canada, served on the Fraser River Panel that manages sockeye and pink salmon, and encouraged local restoration and research for salmon and shellfish. >click to read< 09:13
Captain William “Barnacle Bill” Louwsma of Everglades City, a commercial fisherman, has passed away
William “Barnacle Bill” Louwsma, 65 of Everglades City, FL died Friday, July 16, 202. He was a commercial fisherman for stone crab in the Gulf of Mexico and crawfish in Marathon. He was captain of the F/V Whatever and took great pride in working hard to provide for his family. He was a sports enthusiast who loved the Florida Marlins, the Miami Dolphins, and the Miami Hurricanes. He also followed the Detroit Lions when the Miami Dolphins were not depressing enough. He loved to tell stories, some of which might have been true. He hated prosecutors and cottage cheese. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Florida Stone Crabbers Association >click to read< 14:14
Scallop boat Captain William Francis Phaneuf, “Cape Cod Bill,” 72 has passed away
William Francis Phaneuf, “Cape Cod Bill,” 72, died Saturday, July 31st at Tobey Hospital in Wareham while holding the hand of his number one caregiver and youngest daughter Nichole. He was the son of Mildred (Myers) Phaneuf and the late John H. Phaneuf. He was a Navy Veteran and served during the Vietnam War. In his later years, he made a home for himself in Wareham, MA. Affectionately known as “Cape Cod Bill” to the most hard-core and rugged guys in the fishing industry, Billy was a proud, seasoned fisherman who honed his craft in his early years, from quahogging and bay scalloping in Bourne, MA, and later leading the toughest of crews as a scallop boat captain out of New Bedford, MA. Through the years, Billy ventured out for every type of fishing up and down the East Coast. He was an artist, he created beautiful paintings and illustrated short stories for his children. He loved to make music and never left home without his harmonica. >click to read< 22:16
Clayton Wyatt Smalley, in Coffman Cove, Alaska – “The man John Wayne wanted to be.”
Clayton died suddenly in his home of 45+ years in Coffman Cove, Alaska. He was born in Santa Barbara, CA, and shortly after birth moved to Alaska when his mother, Marcella Smalley “Opheim,” returned home. While not born in Alaska he was the essence of an Alaskan man, hardy, handy, possessing the inner strength and will to conquer whatever came his way. He was raised in a fishing family, spending summers at the family fish camp on Prince of Wales Island with his siblings and grandparents, Roy and Maude Opheim, while mom worked at the Waterfall cannery near Hydaburg. Each of us had our own skate and enjoyed the challenge of going alone to set and pull our gear. Camping on the beach every night, up before dawn to troll, gillnet or check our skate engrained a strong work ethic that few folk sleeping in a warm cozy bed can understand.,,, I know this is long but I hope you understand how hard it is to put the life a a man who lived like he was invincible and could do anything on one page. >click to read< 07:48
Kyle Richard Craig 37, of Sedro Woolley, WA, a Commercial Fisherman, has passed away
Kyle was born on February 6, 1984 in Seattle, WA to Rick and LoRayne Craig of Lynnwood, WA. Kyle was raised in Lynnwood, where as a youth, he enjoyed playing baseball, hockey and earned his athletic letter in golf while attending Edmonds-Woodway High School. Kyle’s love of fishing began as a child while on camping trips with his family to Jameson Lake. Trout fishing on the lake and participating in “Karen’s Fishing Derbies” led to a career as a Commercial Fisherman, fishing for crab in Alaska’s Bering Sea and black cod and halibut in the Gulf of Alaska. He loved the sea, his work, and appreciated his crewmates. >click to read< 19:45
Maine Lobsterman Ronald C. Weeks Jr., 45, of Friendship, has passed away
Ronald C. Weeks Jr., 45, of Friendship, died unexpectedly aboard his lobster boat while doing something he loved, tuna fishing. Ronnie passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Ronnie was born on Feb. 2, 1976, in Augusta. He attended local schools and graduated from Medomak Valley High School in 1994. He served in the U.S. Army from 1994 to 1998, stationed out of Fort Story, Va. Ronnie served as a watercraft engineer and received many awards and medals, including the Expert Marksmanship Badge. He then went on to work as a lobsterman until his final days. Ronnie enjoyed many outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and spending time with his family. >click to read< 09:02
George S. Carmines, Sr., of Poquoson, Va. was a commercial deep sea fisherman
George S. Carmines, Sr., 84, went to be with The Lord, Wednesday, July 21, 2021. A native and lifelong resident of Poquoson, he was a commercial deep sea fisherman and a member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church. George loved NASCAR, racing, building and restoring classic cars and Poquoson High School Sports. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in their activities and participating in the annual Poquoson Work Boat Races. George was a member of The Order of Knights of Pythias. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 60 years, Linda Burroughs Carmines; children, grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. >click to read< 15:22
James William Salter Jr., longtime Half Moon Bay commercial fisherman, has crossed the bar
Jim graduated from Los Altos High School in California where he met his childhood sweetheart, Jan. After many camping trips to Half Moon Bay, he and Jan decided to make the tranquil coast their home. His work ethic and desire to take care of his family led him to become a self-taught commercial fisherman for over 48 years. Together Jim and Jan ran Salter Crab Co., a business his children were also actively a part of, bringing live crab and troll-caught king salmon to farmers markets around the Bay Area for over 30 years. He introduced rock crab, a delicious, sweet but smaller crab with egg row, a highly sought-after delicacy to their numerous customers. “Eat rock crab, be strong, live long,” he would always say. Above all, Jim was an amazing husband and an extraordinary father and grandfather. >click to read< 20:50
